Dental Bridges
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 permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.
Fixed bridges are applied by either placing 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 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.
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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. 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 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.
Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a 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. Palliser 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?
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 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.
Paul A. Palliser DDS PC
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I highly recommend Dr. Paul Palliser, his professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for patients is unparalleled. If you are looking for a dentist who values your comfort, and delivers exceptional dental care, look no further. The staff of Dr. Paul Palliser are always incredibly friendly and accommodating. The receptionists greet me with warm smiles and efficiently managed the paperwork, ensuring a smooth process the entire way. I am grateful to have found such a wonderful dental clinic and will definitely be returning for all my future dental needs.
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Excellent and friendly. Very concerned for the patient
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Paul has been my families dentist for the past 30 years. I trust him and his work. The entire office staff has always been professional and courteous. On three separate occasions, my elderly mother, who was not a patient of the practice, had a dental emergency and Paul made room to fit her in the same day to help her out. My mothers dentist was 4 hours away and it would have been difficult to get her there to resolve her problem. Paul is a good person and a great dentist.
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Dr. Paul has been a great family dentist for us.
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Never had a cavity, owe it all to Dr. P!
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Everyone is wonderful here, have been coming here for more years than I can count.
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Weir pleased all the time
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I am always treated well by staff. I know I am getting good care here.
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Great service, wonderful people in front and back, most caring office I have been to. I would recommend anyone to visit Dr. Palliser’s office for 10000/10 services
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I have thought for years that this is the best run medical/dental office I have ever been to. Dr. Palliser is very skilled, and the office is extremely well run. I have never waited more than a few minutes, and I have always been very satisfied with the level of care I have received.
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Had a very great experience! Can’t wait to get my teeth cleaned again in 6 months
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The staff is very nice
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Everything was done professionally and smoothly. No complaints whatsoever.
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