Fixed Bridges

Our goal is to make each dental visit a relaxed and pleasant experience.

Carl D. Levy, D.M.D.

102 Hyde Parkway - Palmyra, New York 14522 (315)597-5511

A bridge is a restoration which replaces one or more natural teeth that have been lost. Bridges are cemented into place and can only be removed by a dentist. They give better chewing ability and are more stable than a partial denture, but they are also more expensive. Unlike a partial denture, fixed bridges usually take little or no time for the patient to adjust to wearing comfortably.

How is a bridge attached?

	To replace a missing tooth with a bridge, the teeth adjacent to the gap are smoothed down slightly just like a tooth being prepared to accept a crown. The custom-made bridge is fitted and adjusted.

	After adjustments are made, the bridge is cemented into place.

	The photo to the left shows an area where a molar was recently extracted. A fixed bridge is an excellent solution for replacing this missing tooth.
After smoothing a small amount off the sides and top of the two teeth next to the gap, a "three tooth bridge" is fabricated. The bridge covers the two teeth in front and behind of the space, and replaces the missing tooth.

	The photo to the left shows the same area on the same patient, after a three tooth bridge was cemented in place.

The fixed bridge is very similar in shape and appearance to the original natural teeth. This is in contrast to a partial denture which needs clips and an acrylic base to hold it in place.