A dental bridge is an appliance that replaces one or more natural missing teeth. It bridges the space between two teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented onto teeth on either side of the space. Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth by you. If you are missing any teeth and are committed to maintaining good oral hygiene practices, you may be a good candidate for a bridge. If left unfilled, this space can cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position and can cause teeth and gums to become more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, leading to further tooth loss. Fixed bridges not only correct an altered bite, improve your chewing ability and speech, but they also safeguard your appearance by preventing the collapse of your facial features that can cause premature wrinkles and age lines.
With a bridge, it is more important than ever to brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly. If you do not control the buildup of food debris and plaque – the sticky film of bacteria formed from food acids – your teeth and gums can become infected, requiring further treatment and resulting in possible loss of the bridge. Your dentist may also recommend using floss threaders that help remove bacteria from hard to reach spaces between the bridge and adjacent teeth and gums.
If you maintain optimal oral hygiene care, you can expect your fixed bridge to last as many as 8-10 years, or even longer.
If you have missing teeth and dental implants are not right for you at this time, dental bridges are an excellent treatment option to consider. At Cox Family Dentistry & Orthodontics we tailor your treatment to your specific oral health needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences.
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My husband and I moved to Fredericksburg and were looking for a dentist. Husband needs sedation dentistry due to dental trauma experienced in childhood. Few dentist will do sedation dentistry but Dr.... Read More
I have been a patient of Drs Cox and Wilkerson for many years. I've received nothing but the best care. I trust them completely with all of dental and ortho care. In a nutshell, First Class Drs., F... Read More
My husband and I moved to Fredericksburg and were looking for a dentist. Husband needs sedation dentistry due to dental trauma experienced in childhood. Few dentist will do sedation dentistry but Dr. Cox will. So now we have been going to Dr. Cox for about 3 years. My husband has had many procedures and he is very pleased. I had only had teeth cleaning until……an emergency - a painful cracked tooth! Dr. Cox and team really came through for me. They got me in for a consult same day and next day scheduled the work. An implant was a possibility if the damages were too severe but fortunately that was not required. On the day of the procedure, Dr. Cox performed a root canal, prepped the tooth for a crown and installed a permanent crown. I walked out in two hours, problem solved! I am grateful and well pleased with this dentist office and Dr. Cox. Also, the office is clean, well run, and the staff is friendly. One improvement that is needed and I hope they are working on it, is getting the parking lot repaired/resurfaced - it’s hard to avoid the holes.
I have been a patient of Drs Cox and Wilkerson for many years. I've received nothing but the best care. I trust them completely with all of dental and ortho care. In a nutshell, First Class Drs., First Class staff, and First Class office environment. Get down there to see them right away!!
