GENERAL DENTISTRY

Dental Bridges

When teeth are missing, a fixed bridge is a good choice for replacing them.  A dental bridge is a great way to maintain a stable bite and restore your beautiful smile.  It can also prevent a chain reaction of problems, including:

  • Shifting teeth
  • Difficulty keeping teeth free of plaque and bacteria
  • Loss of bone in the jaw
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Grinding and clenching
  • Pain in the jaw joint, the TMJ

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

Teeth need each other for support.  When you lose a tooth, the biting forces change on the teeth next to the space, causing the teeth to shift.  In addition, the opposing teeth no longer have anything to chew against, so they may begin to extrude out of their sockets.  These changes create places around the teeth that are hard to keep clean, so plaque and bacteria accumulate quickly.  This accumulation can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.