Dental Bridge
Palo Alto, CA
Dental Bridges in Palo Alto provided by Dr. Sharma and Dr. Cheong at Palo Alto Oral Health
 We can use a dental bridge to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic, meaning it stays permanently in place, that we use to restore the structure and increase the function of your teeth after the loss of teeth. Dental bridges come with options in how they are retained. Depending on the location and the number of teeth missing, we can find the right option to fit your needs. Our staff at Palo Alto Oral Health can help you have a beautiful, functional smile.
A dental bridge is used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. It will just depend on the locations of the missing teeth and how we can retain the bridge. During your consultation we will examine the area and discuss in more detail how a dental bridge can help.
Dental Bridge Options
Bridges are customized to fit the needs of each patient. There are various styles and options that we can review in more detail. Some options include:
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Traditional Bridge: The most common bridge used is known as the traditional bridge. This device uses two dental crowns on each end with false teeth between. The crowns are designed to go over a healthy tooth or a tooth implant to hold the device in place for permanent retention.
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Maryland Bridge: The Maryland Bridge is sometimes referred to as a Winged Bridge or a Resin Bonded Bridge. This is because the false tooth has metal wings that extend on the backside of the tooth. The metal wings are adhered to the backside of neighboring teeth. In many cases, a Maryland Bridge is used as an interim device while the bone is healing from the insertion of a dental implant.
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Cantilever Bridge: A Cantilever Bridge can be used for front teeth and when there is only one tooth available to anchor the bridge. The Cantilever bridge consists of one dental crown and one false tooth. It is not generally used on back molar teeth because it is only anchored on one side.
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Partial Denture: A partial denture is not a bridge, because it is a removable device. Partial dentures are designed to replace missing teeth using a clasp system allowing them to be clasped onto healthy teeth and removed when needed. |
Implant Supported Dental Bridge
Dental implants are not a replacement tooth, but rather a replacement root system. We used them to create a solid post in the jawbone that we can then use to secure a dental prosthetic in place. This can include a dental crown, bridge or denture. With a dental implant, the patient no longer needs healthy teeth to serve as an anchor, the implant is the anchor.
Why should I replace missing teeth?
There are a number of patients who show hestiance at replacing missing teeth. It could be because they are just choosing to ignore the problem, maybe find it acceptable to have missing teeth, it could be fear of dentistry, or it could be fear of financial obligation. Missing teeth can be problematic, with both immediate and growing problems in the future.
We recommend replacing missing teeth for a variety of reasons including:
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To improve function and allow you to chew evenly.
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To enhance your look and keep neighboring teeth from shifting.
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To add structure to your facial shape, the face begins to appear older following tooth loss.
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To increase the overall health of your mouth. Missing teeth can lead to TMJ dysfunction and lead to the loss of other teeth. |
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