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Bridges
Advantages of Bridges
A bridge is a fixture used to replace missing teeth. While removable bridges
are available, most bridges are permanent or "fixed." They can be used
to replace one tooth or nearly all the teeth in your mouth, thus having
both functional and aesthetic importance. Gaps from missing teeth can
cause other teeth to shift or move out of their sockets encouraging further
tooth loss. Bridges provide an alternative to more expensive dental implants
or even dentures. A dentist installs a fixed bridge by first cutting down
the adjacent teeth and fitting them with crowns. Temporary crowns and
spacers will be used until the custom made crowns and bridge can be installed.
The space between the crowns is then filled with the appropriate amount
of artificial teeth, which are attached to the crowns for support. Correctly
installed fixed bridges are virtually indistinguishable from your natural
teeth. These appliances can be very expensive, but dental insurance will
often cover a large part of the cost.
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