BRIDGES

Porcelain and Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM)

When teeth are missing, your smile undergoes significant changes. Missing teeth cause you to chew differently and may cause mouth pain. And, as your remaining teeth work to compensate for the loss, gaps and spaces form that only make the situation worse. A porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal-bridge, custom designed by Dr. Rutledge’s Master Ceramist Lab Technician, keeps your smile aligned and your bite functional. Bridges are anchored to existing teeth or to crowns on either side of the missing tooth. They are semi-permanent, meaning they can only be affixed or removed by a dentist and are a long-term restorative solution to your damaged smile.

Q: What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?

A: By replacing missing teeth either with a bridge or with an implant, you will alleviate the problems associated with missing a tooth and will restore your smile to its beautiful, full appearance. A bridge is one solution for replacing a tooth. By using neighboring teeth as the supportive structure, your dentist places a porcelain restoration into the vacant space, restoring the functionality and look of your smile. A dental implant is also an excellent solution. Dental implants involve the placement of a titanium post directly into the jawbone. Once the post has bonded to the bone, it can act as a new, solid support for a natural-looking, porcelain restoration. Implants can replace a single tooth, or an entire set of teeth, offering more function and permanence than traditional dentures.