One or more missing teeth can negatively affect the appearance and functionality of your smile. Missing teeth can cause a change in your bite, shifting of the teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), speech impediments, an increased risk for periodontal disease and a greater chance of tooth decay.
Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. There are several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges.
During the first visit, Sterling Dental dentists examine the health of your gums and other teeth to evaluate if you are a candidate for a dental bridge. If you are a candidate for a dental bridge, you are given a local anesthetic so your dentist can prepare the adjacent teeth required to support the bridge. If the support teeth cannot support the bridge, Sterling Dental may have to build them back up before they can be used as support teeth for a bridge.
While your bridge is being fabricated at our lab, Sterling Dental fits you with a temporary bridge so the teeth and gums can be protected from damage until your permanent bridge is ready.
To complete the dental bridge procedure, you must return to the dental office in Sterling Heights for a second visit to have the bridge fitted and cemented.
All-Porcelain dental bridges which we provide for our patients are made from strong, durable porcelain material and appear similar to your own original teeth. They may be used to replace as many as five teeth in a row, however, they are not as sturdy like a bridge which utilizes metal for added strength. However, when they are combined with dental implants, they function as beautifully and strongly as your original teeth.