Dental Bridges

Santa Cruz, Monterey, Salinas, California

If you have one or more missing teeth, you know how your eating and speech have been affected. And you know how reluctant you are to smile or do anything that will show your teeth. You also know how hard it is to care for your teeth with one or more missing.

Dental Bridges

But you do not have to suffer with missing teeth. At Advanced Smile Designs in Santa Cruz, California, we offer a number of replacement options for missing teeth, including dental bridges.

Dental bridges are restorations for replacing one or more missing teeth. For a dental bridge to be properly placed, the teeth surrounding the space where the tooth is missing must be in good shape and be able to hold the crowns that support the bridge. If this is not the case, dental implants or dentures may be a better option for replacing your missing teeth.

Terry W. Forsberg, DDS is a caring and experienced cosmetic dentist with post-graduate training from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). This means he strives to create an optimal and comfortable atmosphere to create the most aesthetic dental bridges and any other dental restorations you may need.

Why Bridges Are Needed

If you have a loose or missing tooth, the areas in your gum line where there is empty space can start to cause problems for the teeth that remain. They can act as harbors for bacteria, making you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. They can allow teeth to drift. The placement of a bridge is the best method of preventing problems such as:

  • Abnormal neuromuscular function which affects your bite and muscles of your face
  • Speech issues
  • Exposure to tooth decay and gum disease

Proper care for your bridge is also an important factor that must be taught before you leave the dentist's office. The better you take care of your new bridge work, the longer it will last without needing any repairs performed.

Types of Dental Bridges

Which type of dental bridge Dr. Forsberg chooses to place depends on where your missing teeth are located and what your needs are. Your treatment and his recommendations will be discussed prior to scheduling your procedure.

Resin Bonded Bridge – This type of bridge is generally used when restoring the front teeth. In the design of this bridge, a porcelain veneer is bonded to two thin resin reinforced bands which are each bonded to one of the surrounding teeth using resin. This is the least expensive type of bridge and is often reserved for use when the surrounding teeth are both in good shape. It is very aesthetic, but the weakest of the bridges.

Fixed Bridge – This type of bridge is designed to replace missing teeth with artificial ones. The artificial teeth are attached to a thin strip of metal that is connected to the surrounding teeth with the use of crowns to anchor it in place. The artificial teeth and crowns are covered with porcelain. Although it is aesthetic, it is the least aesthetic of the bridges and only is used in our office for added strength when multiple teeth are missing.

Lava Bridge / Zirconium Bridge – In this type of bridge, two dental crowns and a pontic (artificial tooth) are cast of zirconium in one piece, eliminating the need for any metal whatsoever. The restoration is attached to the adjacent teeth, and crafted to give the appearance of separate pieces, so they look more natural than any of the other bridge options. It is very strong.

Cantilever Bridge – This type of bridge is used most often where less stress is put on the teeth. It is also the bridge of choice when there are only natural teeth on one side of the space where it will be placed. Because of the torque and stress it puts on the tooth that it is attached to, it is rarely used.

These are the most commonly used bridges, but they are not the only ones available. Which type Dr. Forsberg chooses to place for you depends on the individual circumstances surrounding the best treatment for your needs. To learn more about dental bridges or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure in Santa Cruz County, California, please contact Terry W. Forsberg, DDS, at Advanced Smile Designs today.

(800) 680-3640

3275 Aptos Rancho Rd., Suite D
Aptos, California 95003
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Monterey Cosmetic Dentistry Disclaimer: The content on this site about cosmetic dentistry in Aptos, California is intended to provide information on general, neuromuscular, and cosmetic dentistry procedures including porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, and teeth whitening. The cosmetic dentistry information on this site does not serve as medical advice. If you live Santa Cruz County, including Monterey and Salinas, California, and are interested in learning more about cosmetic dentistry, please email Advanced Smile Designs or call us at (800) 680-3640.
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