What are fixed
Missing teeth can be replaced in three ways
By placing artificial teeth that can be removed by the
patients according to their convenience. E.g. Partial and
complete removable dentures
Using fixed bridges where in the artificial teeth are fixed to
the adjacent normal teeth present on either side of the empty
Implanting small metal post in to the jawbone on to which the
artificial teeth are fixed.
A bridge is a replacement tooth that is supported
and attached by a Crown on either side of the space.
The two side teeth (anchor teeth) or Abutments are
prepared to provide support for the bridge
Why is replacement of missing teeth essential?
Teeth in the oral cavity depend on each other and on
the adjacent soft tissues (e.g. tongue and cheek) to remain in place.
When a permanent tooth is lost due to tooth decay or due to injury, the
adjacent normal teeth drift in to the space created by the missing tooth
making them more prone to tooth decay and gum problems (due to
difficulty in maintaining hygiene).
The other problems