Dental Bridges Can Replace Your Missing Teeth

A dental bridge is a false tooth (sometimes called a pontic), used to replace a missing tooth or row of missing teeth. If you’ve had a tooth removed, you may simply be happy to eliminate the pain caused by the infected tooth. However, it’s important that you don’t leave a gap between your teeth for long. Everything in your mouth works together to create optimal oral health. Failing to replace your teeth can cause these problems in the future.
You may experience difficulty chewing your food.
Healthy teeth shift into the gap and become crooked.
Jawbones may begin to deteriorate and the shape of your face will change.
You’ll smile less often in an effort to hide the gap.

FOUR TYPES OF BRIDGES TO REPLECE YOUR MISSING TEETH

A dental bridge is a false tooth (sometimes called a pontic), used to replace a missing tooth or row of missing teeth. The pontic can be made out of a variety of different materials, but porcelain is typically used to match your natural teeth. There are four types of dental bridges. The type you need will depend on the health of your surrounding teeth or how many teeth are missing. The types of dental bridges include:

1. Traditional Dental Bridge: When you have healthy teeth on both sides of one missing tooth, a traditional dental bridge is typically used. This bridge is created with the placement of crowns on your adjoining teeth to hold the pontic in place.
2. Cantilever Dental Bridge: Similar to a traditional bridge, the Cantilever bridge uses a crown for pontic placement. However, this option only uses a crown on one of the adjoining teeth.
3. Maryland Dental Bridge: A Maryland dental bridge requires healthy teeth on both sides of the gap left by your missing tooth. Instead of using crowns, this option uses a metal or porcelain framework to bond the pontic to your adjoining teeth.
4. Implant-Supported Dental Bridge: Instead of using your natural teeth for support, an implant-supported bridge requires implants to be placed. Typically, one implant is surgically placed for every missing tooth. These implants hold the bridge in position.

Dental Bridge Placement Procedure

Your dentist will use one of two procedures to place your dental bridge. The procedure used will depend on your oral health and other markers determined by your dentist. Your bridge may be placed in one visit, or two visits spaced several days apart. In either procedure, your adjoining teeth will be prepared before getting started with reshaping that will allow them to support crowns.

CERAC: Same Day Dental Bridge Creation and Placement

For same-day dental crown placement, your dentist will begin with an optical impression of your prepared teeth. Software will be used to design the crowns for your bridge. Once the design is ready, an in-house milling machine will be used to create your crowns. When they’re complete, your dentist will fit them and cement them permanently in place.

Lab-Fabricated Dental Bridge Placement and Creation

Sometimes, it’s necessary to create your crowns in a lab. With this procedure, a 3-D mold of your teeth will be created with the use of dental putty. The 3-D model will be sent to a lab for the creation of your permanent crowns. While you wait, a temporary bridge will be used to protect your prepared teeth. When your crowns are ready, you’ll return to the office to have your permanent crowns bonded in place.

Dental bridges are a common procedure used to replace missing teeth. They’re fixed in place and are cared for in the same way as your natural teeth. If you have missing teeth, it’s important to have them replaced. To learn more about dental bridges and other tooth replacement options, contact the dental experts at Brentwood Dental Spa today. Our team is standing by to answer your questions or schedule your appointment. Don’t leave gaps between your teeth. Let our dental professionals bridge your gaps and give something to smile about.

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