Dental Bridges in Columbus, OH

Replacing missing teeth is essential to your oral health. Even one missing tooth can affect how you speak and chew. Multiple missing teeth can throw your teeth out of alignment and create a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. If you have missing teeth, dental bridges are one of the most common ways to replace lost or damaged teeth in Columbus.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge, sometimes called a fixed partial denture, is a dental prosthetic that replaces any missing teeth and covers the area where the teeth are missing. The bridge has replacement teeth, or crowns, to mimic the visible portion of missing teeth. It is generally held in place by being attached to the remaining teeth on either side. Fixed bridges are bonded in place and must be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges can be taken out like dentures for cleaning.

Dental Bridge Options

There are two common types of dental bridges – fixed and removable. Fixed bridges contain crowns to replace the missing teeth. They are attached to the adjacent teeth on either side or to an abutment such as a dental implant. It is bonded to these teeth with dental cement for a permanent fit.

Removal bridges also contain attached crowns but are not permanently bonded to anything. Instead, metal clasps or loops fit over the adjacent teeth to hold the bridge in place. They can be removed at any time for cleaning.

Are Dental Bridges Permanent?

If you have a fixed bridge attached to dental implants, it is permanent and can be cared for much as you care for your natural teeth. A fixed bridge is highly stable and can last for decades. However, you may eventually need to replace a crown if it suffers excessive wear.

A removable bridge also lasts a long time – typically 10 to 15 years. It will eventually need repairing or replacing, as it goes through a lot of movement when you remove it for cleaning and put it back in place. Periodically replacing a worn or damaged removable bridge protects you from pain and potential infection.

Do I Need a Dental Bridge?

If you have one or more missing teeth, you need to replace them to prevent oral health issues. A dental bridge is an effective way to replace missing teeth, which can lead to serious problems and distort the look of your face.

Oral function is compromised when teeth are missing, leading to issues with eating, drinking, and talking. If you are missing teeth in the sides or back of the mouth, your face may take on a sunken appearance, visually aging you. Most importantly, if you have missing teeth, the remaining teeth take on an additional burden, compensating for the missing teeth and wearing away quickly. Increased risk of gum disease is one of the worst and most common side effects of missing teeth.

Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge ensures your remaining teeth can do their job effectively. It also reduces the chances of developing gum disease or a sunken face due to missing teeth.

At Vadhi Ohio Family Dental, we offer fixed and removable dental bridges to our patients. If you are interested in learning more, please call our office at Columbus Office Phone Number 614-864-6000 or use our easy, online contact form to schedule an appointment to determine whether a dental bridge will work for you.