If you have one or more missing teeth, then you know that the consequences can be more than just embarrassing—although that can have a serious impact on your work and social life. You may also notice that you have trouble eating some foods and saying certain words. In addition, tooth loss can lead to other oral health problems. Just one missing tooth increases your risk of additional tooth loss, as well as other problems including tooth decay and gum disease. For these and other reasons, tooth replacement is vital. At Wehrkamp Dentistry, your dentist in Brandon can eliminate the troubles associated with tooth loss and restore your smile with a fixed bridge. By combining false teeth with two dental crowns, Drs. Wehrkamp create a permanent solution.
What is a Fixed Bridge?
You may have heard someone here talk about a crown and bridge or a fixed partial. Those are both alternative terms for a fixed bridge. Regardless of the name, this prosthetic bridges the gap in your smile. One or more false teeth are suspended in place with dental crowns that are attached to healthy teeth. The false teeth and crowns that comprise a bridge are made as a single unit in the dental lab. Once fabricated, your Brandon dentist permanently bonds the crowns and the bridge is fixed.
How Do I Get a Fixed Bridge?
Once you and one of our dentists decide that a fixed bridge is the best tooth replacement option for you, then you only need to schedule two appointments to have your smile restored. At the first visit, we’ll prep the abutment teeth for crowns and at the follow-up appointment, the bridge is set in place.
The crowns that support the bridge’s false teeth are adhesively bonded to two teeth on both sides of the gap. In order for those crowns to fit, these teeth need to be reshaped. A slim layer of tooth enamel is removed from the sides and chewing surface of the teeth in order to make room for the crown. Once this step is done, we take an impression that technicians in our lab use to create your bridge.
During the second appointment a few weeks later, the bridge is placed when the crowns are attached to your prepared teeth. In addition to restoring the appearance of your smile, a fixed bridge improves your ability to chew and speak, prevents other teeth from shifting and restores balance when you bite down.
Rebuild Your Smile with One Phone Call
You don’t need to live with missing teeth. A fixed bridge can be an affordable and attractive solution. Call Wehrkamp Dentistry to schedule a consultation with one of the dentists.