Dental Bridges

Replacing Missing Teeth in San Antonio TX

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Are You Missing Teeth?

Dental Bridge Options

A dental bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Dental bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing dental crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it’s difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

What exactly is a dental bridge or fixed partial denture?

A dental bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Why do I need a dental bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a dental bridge. A dental bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a dental bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

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Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a dental bridge.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How is a dental bridge attached?

The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. E. Wayne Simmons or Dr. Bryhn Simmons will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the dental bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Dental crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the dental bridge.

What materials are used?

Dental bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal.

How do I take care of my dental bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the dental bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the dental bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

Call South Texas Dental Implants & Prosthodontics Office Phone Number 210-692-0136 with any questions or to schedule a consultation.

South Texas Dental Implants & Prosthodontics

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Patient Review By Jose H

GREAT WORK!!!!! PROFESSIONAL AND SKILLFULL DENTIST! ONE OF THE BEST DENTISTS IN SAN ANTONIO!! VERY ATTENTIVE AND RESPECTABLE!!

- Jose H

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