Fixed Dental Bridges
Fountain Valley, CA
 Tooth loss has many causes. You can lose a tooth as a result of gum disease, facial trauma, or severe tooth decay. The tooth may come out on its own, or it may need to be extracted. Regardless of how it is lost, replacing a missing tooth is essential. At Bijan Family Dental Practice we can replace a missing tooth with a fixed bridge.
Effects of Tooth Loss
Losing your teeth has several significant effects on your life. These include
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Difficulty biting and chewing. Poor chewing can also affect your digestion and your overall nutrition.
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You may develop a lisp.
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Your smile suffers, which can cause your confidence to drop.
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Your healthy teeth begin to shift out of alignment.
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The teeth adjacent to the empty space are at a greater risk for decay and damage. |
What Is a Fixed Bridge?
If you are missing a single tooth or up to three teeth in a row, a bridge may be recommended. There are a few different types of bridges, but the most commonly used bridge is a fixed bridge. Commonly made from ceramic or porcelain, the fixed bridge consists of the replacement tooth, or pontic tooth, which fills the empty space where your tooth used to be. The pontic tooth replaces the functions of that tooth as well as the appearance of your smile. The fixed bridge also has two dental crowns, one on each side of the pontic tooth. These crowns are made to fit over the adjacent healthy teeth, called the abutment teeth. They anchor the bride, and the abutment teeth hold your restorations securely in place.
Why Get a Fixed Bridge?
A fixed bridge offers several benefits.
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You can bite and chew again, which restores proper digestion and improves your nutrition.
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Your speech is restored.
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You regain your smile and your confidence.
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Your oral health is improved. Your teeth are easier to maintain, which reduces the risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
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With the tooth replaced, the bite pressures are evenly spread out, preventing tooth damage. |
Restoring Your Smile, and Your Quality of Life
To place a fixed bridge, we first need to prepare the abutment teeth. This process, done under a local anesthetic, is done to reduce the size of the teeth. With the teeth made smaller, the crowns can easily fit over the abutment teeth, which allows the bridge to fit perfectly in with the rest of your teeth. Once the teeth have been prepared, we then take an impression of your mouth. The impression is sent to our dental lab, where it is used to custom design and create your brand-new restoration.
It can take up to two weeks for the bridge to be completed. A second appointment is needed for placement. While you wait for your custom bridge, a temporary restoration is set in place to protect the abutment teeth and fill the gap between the teeth. Once your final restoration is ready, we check it to make sure that it fits properly and that your bite is natural before we secure it into place.
With a bridge, we can restore the functions of your mouth, your smile, and your overall quality of life. Mini Dental Implants or dentures could also be an alternative solution for some patients. For more information, and to find out if a bridge is right for you, call Bijan Family Dental Practice at (714) 421-4494 to schedule your appointment today.
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