What are bridges?
Bridges fill the gaps that result from lost teeth. For several reasons, it is vital to fill such gaps in a timely way. Firstly, the teeth neighboring the gap can tilt, shift or even super-erupt into the gap. This tilting and shifting make the neighboring teeth more vulnerable to decay and gum disease. Moreover, the form of a patieny’s bite can be affected by the shifting, which over time can aggravate the jaws, muscles and mandibular joints. Such aggravations can disrupt the ability to chew, and can in some cases lead to changes in the appearance of the face.
When single or multiple teeth are missing or damaged, they can be replaced with either fixed or removable bridges. A fixed bridge is a replacement of one or more teeth that is cemented or attached to abutting teeth. A removable bridge is a replacement of one or more teeth that can be removed by the patient.
