A dental bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a restoration option that is used to replace one or more teeth in the same area. A collection of interconnecting crowns that can be used to restore missing or severely damaged teeth, dental bridges use abutment teeth to anchor the bridge to, essentially “bridging” or filling in the gap that is left behind from a missing tooth by placing a false tooth in the area that the gap is. Dental bridges are shaped and coloured just like your natural teeth, so they seamlessly blend in with the rest of your mouth! Adjacent teeth will need to be trimmed down and crowned so that the bridge remains in place and your overall bite is stabilized. This results in a strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solution for missing teeth that can offer your smile back to its original state!
While you might think that some missing teeth is only a minor issue, this can in fact cause serious problems. Over time, missing teeth can cause your teeth to actually move out of position in your mouth, which can adversely affect your bite, as well as lead to the loss of even more teeth, gum disease, and severe tooth decay. You may even suffer from migraines as a result of your dental problems. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, a visit to your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental bridgework.