Dental Bridges
DiNinno Family Dental – Fitchburg MA
Replace Missing Teeth
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 dental 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.
Replace You Missing Teeth With a Bridge
What exactly is a dental bridge or fixed partial denture?
A dental 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 dental bridge?
Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A dental 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 dental 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 dental 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 dental bridge attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Nicholas J. DiNinno, Jr or Dr. Nicholas J. DiNinno, III will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.
Since the dental 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 dental 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. Dental crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the dental bridge.
What materials are used?
Dental 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 dental bridge?
A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the dental bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the dental bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.
Read Our Patient Reviews on Dental Bridges Procedure
DiNinno Family Dental
Patient Review By Leonora S
Dr Dininno is a fantastic dentist. I hate going to the dentist and have some dental anxiety. Since I was having an issue with my bridge I needed to see a dentist and scheduled my first visit with dr Dininno. Needless to say I was dreading the appointment but it could not have gone better. Dr Dininno radiates a sense of calm and confidence and he put me totally at ease. My recently retired dentist recommended I see dr Dininno and though I live on Cape Cod I couldn’t be happier with making the trip to Fitchburg. I intend to make the drive to his office for all my dental care. It’s totally worth it!
- Leonora S
Patient Review By Tatiana J
Dr. Nicholas DiNinno is extremely professional. One of the very few Doctors who truly cares about patients, and does his job having patients’ best interest in mind. He is highly knowledgeable, very kind and caring. He is very easy to communicate and to address difficult treatment’s issues. My dental work was by no means easy. As the matter of fact, it was very difficult and complicated. At the same time Dr. DiNinno has done such a wonderful job, that since the time I left his Office after the work has been completed, I cannot stop smiling. Not only the very important issue of dental health has been addressed and resolved, but also the gain of self-confidence and tremendous cosmetic improvement have been achieved. In addition, the entire environment of the Office is great! The staff is fantastic! I strongly recommend DiNinno Family Dental to everyone. And I am absolutely positive that no one will regret to have Dr. Nicholas DiNinno as a dentist.
- Tatiana J
Patient Review By sandy b
I have been a patient of Dr. Nick, Sr. since he graduated from dental school. My entire family has utilized his services and we have all been very happy with the services we have received. My hygienist, Chris, does a wonderful job maintaining my oral health. Dr. Nick and his son, Dr. Nick are professional and very nice to deal with. The entire staff works very hard to insure a pleasant experience. I recently needed bridges and I'm very happy with the results. People comment on the improvement to my smile.
- sandy b
Patient Review By Laura H
When I first came to DiNinno Dental I had been searching for a dental practice that was talented, friendly and had state of the art facilities. I saw the sign and talked to a couple people, one who told me she knew people who worked there and had heard good things. I took a chance and I am very glad I did. We started with invisalign but moved on to a bridge and crowns etc. When I came to DiNinno I would not allow myself to smile or laugh without my hand over my mouth because I was not comfortable with how my teeth looked. Experiences since childhood had turned me off to regular dental routines. Now I am very confident in my current ability to smile and based on the father/son practice, also confident that the future of my smile will continue to be bright . I have a routine schedule and enjoy every visit.
- Laura H