Dental Bridges San Antonio, TX

Dental bridges represent one of the options for filling the space created by a missing tooth. It is formed to look like the missing tooth, and it takes its place in the mouth. The bridge is supported by using the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth/teeth for support, hence the name. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.

It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift decreasing the amount of space. In general, the tip of the roots remain in the same position while the visible part of the tooth (crown) changes the angle, shifts in the gap area and decreases the amount of space between the teeth. This movement affects the chewing efficiency. In addition, the teeth in the opposite arch may move into the space as well, making the tooth a candidate for extraction. This can result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ. The inclined teeth are more difficult to clean making gum disease a distinct possibility and a serious problem. The degree of difficulty of treating the problem increases as the neglect continues.