Dental Bridges Yarmouth, ME

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.

Dental Bridge Options

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

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on 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.

Why do I need a dental bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. An equilibrated occlusion/full complement of teeth in a confluent bite can increase the longevity of the entire dentition.  Excessive forces applied to teeth, due to other missing teeth, are detrimental and can shorten the lifespan of the remaining teeth.  Similarly fixed bridges and removable partials can also place excessive forces on teeth; therefore it is important that the remaining teeth/abutment teeth have healthy gum and bone.  Dr Russo will outline which treatments are beneficial for your specific case; as longevity of teeth and prosthetics are a top priority for both Dr Russo and you, as the patient.

Missing teeth can create difficulties in function (and sometimes phonetics/speech depending on the location of the missing teeth).

How is a dental bridge attached?

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

Since the 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 bridge.

What materials are used for dental bridges?

Fixed bridges most often constructed from ceramic.  Other materials such as gold alloys or semi-precious alloys fused to porcelain can be used at the request of the patient.  Dr Russo will discuss with you which material is recommended, as well as the reasoning behind the treatment recommendation.

How do I take care of my bridge?

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