| Services -
Cosmetic Dentistry: Dental Bridges |
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| A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a
pontic, which is fused between two porcelain crowns
to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two
crowns holding it in place that are attached onto
your teeth on each side of the false tooth. This is
known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is used to
replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges
cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might do
with removable partial dentures. |
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| In areas of your mouth that are under less
stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever
bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used when
there are teeth on only one side of the open space.
Bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease, help
correct some bite issues and even improve your
speech. Bridges require your commitment to serious
oral hygiene, but will last as many ten years or
more. |
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| Who is a candidate for dental bridges? |
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| If you have missing teeth and have good oral
hygiene practices, you should discuss this procedure
with Dr Phillip F. Ajaje. If spaces are left
unfilled, they may cause the surrounding teeth to
drift out of position. Additionally, spaces from
missing teeth can cause your other teeth and your
gums to become far more susceptible to tooth decay
and gum disease. |
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| Overview of dental bridge procedure |
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| If you have a space from a missing tooth, a
bridge will be custom made to fill in the space with
a false tooth. The false tooth is attached by the
bridge to the two other teeth around the space -
bridging them together. |
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| How is dental bridge accomplished? |
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| Dr. Vahe Antanesian will prepare your teeth on
either side of the space for the false tooth. You
will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area,
and the cosmetic dentist will remove the an area of
each abutment (teeth on either side of the space) to
accommodate for the thickness of the crown. When
these teeth already have fillings, part of the
filling may be left in place to help as a foundation
for the crown. |
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| The dentist will then make an impression, which
will serve as the model from which the bridge, false
tooth and crowns will be made by a dental
laboratory. A temporary bridge will be placed for
you to wear while your bridge is being made until
your next visit. This temporary bridge will serve to
protect your teeth and gums. |
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| Your cosmetic dentist may have you use a Flipper
appliance. A Flipper is a false tooth to temporarily
take the place of a missing tooth before the
permanent bridge is placed. A Flipper can be
attached via either a wire or a plastic piece that
fits in the roof of your mouth. Flippers are meant
to be a temporary solution while awaiting the
permanent bridge. |
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| On your second appointment, the temporary bridge
will be removed. Your new permanent bridge will be
fitted and checked and adjusted for any bite
discrepancies. Your new bridge will then be cemented
to your teeth. |
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| Types of Dental Bridge Procedures |
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| There are three types of dental bridges: |
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| Traditional Fixed
Bridge |
| A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a
potic, which is fused between two porcelain crowns
to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. There
two crowns holding it in place that are attached
onto your teeth on each side of the false tooth.
This is known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is
used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed
bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you
might do with removable partial dentures. |
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| Resin Bonded Bridges |
| The resin bonded is primarily used for your
front teeth. Less expensive, this bridge is best
used when the abutment teeth are healthy and don't
have large fillings. The false tooth is fused to
metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth
with a resin which is hidden from view. This type of
bridge reduces the amount of preparation on the
adjacent teeth. |
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| Cantilever Bridge |
| In areas of your mouth that are under less
stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever
bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used when
there are teeth on only one side of the open space.
This procedure involves anchoring the false tooth to
one side over one or more natural and adjacent
teeth. |
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| Advantages & Disadvantages of Dental Bridges
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| Advantages of dental bridges: |
| Bridges are natural in appearance, and usually
require only two visits to your dentist. If you
maintain good oral hygiene, your fixed bridge should
last as many as ten years or more. |
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| Disadvantages of having a dental bridge: |
| It is common for your teeth to be mildly
sensitive to extreme temperatures for a few weeks
after the treatment. The build up of bacteria formed
from food acids on your teeth and gums can become
infected if proper oral hygiene is not followed. |
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