Dental Bridges
All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.
Dental Bridge Options
A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.
Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it’s difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.
What exactly is a bridge or fixed partial denture?
A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.
Why do I need a bridge?
Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.
Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.
Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a bridge.
Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.
How is a bridge attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Yoo will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.
Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.
Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.
What materials are used?
Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal.
How do I take care of my bridge?
A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.
Kay Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Kay is excellent. Her practice is state of the art...with an awesome staff. Stop by her new office on Martha Ave, Fremont, CA. Here's what you'll find ... -soothing music, -gourmet coffee bar, -massage chairs, -hi-tech equipment, .. and Dr, Kay's gentle and pleasant manner. .. For your next checkup, visit Dr. Kay. You'll be glad you did.
- Thomas D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My friend introduced Dr. Yoo office which he already went there few times. I was surprised at first, the dental office is like your home, the atmosphere is so warm and nice. Dr Yoo did really good job, she was gentle and friendly with me. The facilities is modern. Good point, you can watch movies or TV while you are doing dental works. Distract you from the sound, water and air.Not a lot of dental offices have that. The staff was great. For sure, I will come back and bring my family and friends. Thanks Dr Yoo for helping me.
- Annie V
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came there to fix my filling being came off for last week, food was stuck in a lot. Dr Yoo asked assistant to take the X-ray at the tooth to make sure there were not something happening under the root. Then, she showed me the X-rays of my tooth. She filled it for me, closed the gap so food could not stuck in. I was really pleased at tooth filling. I am sure come back next time for cleaning and some dental works.
- Crystal N
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Definitely satisfied with this Dental office! Exceptional service and very friendly. The dentist and staff are outstanding and as soon as you walk inside your greeted with a smile and also with a beverage of your choice, coffee, juice, or water.The environment is very clean and inviting once you walk inside the building. I've never had such a great experience at a dental office. This place is by far the best I've gone to! Also a plus is that the chair you sit in during the procedure gives you a massage that makes you very relaxed. Never experienced that at any other dentist. I myself don't like going to the dentist but since my first time i keep coming back!
- Andres A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I would recommend this facility and staff to anyone, they also have nice clean high tech equipment that most offices don't even carry!
- Nick C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I love this office! Super clean, very friendly staff and the Dr is soooo gentle I didn't feel a thing. I was immediately welcomed inside with a cup of tea and got to know the Dr before we started. Dr Yoo made sure to take her time with me and was very sweet. The assistant Carol and Anh are so cute and caring, very bubbly and made sure to explain step by step what was going on along the way. I enjoyed every moment of it and left with a huge smile. Definitely will be coming back!
- Alexandra A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a regular checkup and cleaning at this clinic for the first time. I get cleaning done regularly but was somewhat hesitant since I always felt sharp pain when the part close to gum is cleaned since my gum is eroded quite much. The cleaning was very through but I never felt any pain this time! So I shared my experience with the people around me who knows dental and they suggested it is possibly because the equipment is brand-new and advanced ones. It is true that this clinic is newly opened and everything is brand-new with top notch equipment. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. I strongly recommend this clinic.
- Brian C
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Let me start off with saying I haven't gone to the dentist in over 2 years because of my personal experiences with other dental offices. Dr Yoo is amazing! The office is very clean, has a calming environment to it and the staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. My appointment was made through the phone and the Dental Assistant Carol was extremely helpful in guiding me through their website to fill out my forms. When I came in to my appointment I was welcomed with a fresh cup of coffee which helped calm my nerves, not rushed at all and no waiting. Dr Yoo and her staff made sure to make me feel comfortable before sitting on that chair which they did. The other assistant Anne was very nice and made sure to explain to me everything that she was doing. Since I do live in Hayward Dr Yoo was able to do my cleaning and some fillings I needed done all in the same day. I didn't feel any pain she has a very light hand and the massage chairs helped too. Overall experience was a 10! I will definitely be coming back, the drive from Hayward to Fremont is worth it with this office. Good job Kay Dentistry! -Nano A.
- Nano A
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I came in for a general cleaning and found out I had 4 fillings needed. I also had a chip in my front tooth for the last year that was long overdue. Dr. Yoo was able to perform my cleaning and 4 fillings in the same day! She knew I had a 45-minute commute from SF and was able to save me 2 trips back for my fillings. We scheduled an appointment for a week later to fix my front tooth. In the meantime, she gave me some teeth whitening strips so the shade would match the color of the chipped area of my front tooth. 4 fillings, a cleaning, and not looking like Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber anymore in less than a week? I found my new dentist. Thanks Dr. Yoo!
- Dan J