Crowns & Bridges
Missing teeth are the cause of unsightly gaps in your smile. They also may make it more difficult to speak clearly and make some foods difficult or impossible to eat. Even more serious, where your health is concerned, it is a situation that can contribute to gum disease and thereby to bone loss.
Dental Bridges
Missing teeth can be replaced by a dental appliance called a bridge (so named because it bridges a gap between teeth). A bridge is one or more artificial teeth, bracketed on either side by healthy, natural teeth with crowns. The two crowned teeth form anchor points for the bridge.
A bridge may also be referred to as a fixed partial denture. A denture is a set of false teeth, and a bridge is fixed by being cemented to the crowns on either side. It is not removable by the patient, as are some other types of dentures.
Custom-made, a bridge is indistinguishable from the natural teeth within your smile, and a proper fit ensures you can chew and talk comfortably.
Implant Bridges
Another way to attach a bridge is to install implants on either side of the gap and cover these with crowns.
Materials
At Dr. Maxon Love Dental Clinic, we offer a choice of materials — ceramic or gold. Both are made with a layer of porcelain on the outside to give a natural appearance to the teeth.