Dental Bridges
Have you experienced tooth loss? If so, you may be a candidate for a dental bridge. Dental bridges literally bridge the gap caused by one or more missing teeth—as one or more artificial teeth are cemented into place using the teeth on either side for support. Our Shelby Township dentists will use a bridge to replace the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically.
A dental bridge usually consists of two bridges for the teeth on either side of the gap. The two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth and secure the false tooth or teeth in between. These false teeth can be made from gold, alloys, composite resins, or a combination of these materials. Bridges can also be supported by natural teeth and by dental implants.
Bridgework is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and esthetics.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
It is important that a is replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated properly and in a timely manner, the teeth surrounding the gap will begin to shift inward. Since teeth use their neighbors for support, if one is missing they begin to fall and shift into the open spaces. This may worsen your bite due to changes in pressure and can eventually result in problems with the jaw such as TMJ. To learn more, check out our blog post on the benefits of dental bridges.
Request an Appointment With Us
Our dentists in Shelby Township, MI, may recommend a dental bridge to fill an empty socket from a missing tooth. But first, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with us so you can learn more about your options for restorative dentistry. To get started, call Frank P. Ruffino DDS at (586) 799-4240. We hope we hear from you soon!
