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Dental Bridges: Your Comprehensive Guide
Unfortunately, tooth loss is a reality for millions of Americans. If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be wondering about your options for tooth replacement solutions. At Palisade Family Dental, we offer a variety of options, including dental bridges and dental crowns. Regardless of which restoration you choose, it's crucial to seek treatment as soon as possible. A missing tooth can result in serious complications later on, as your remaining teeth may shift to fill the gap, leading to malocclusion or misalignment in your bite.
What is a dental bridge
A traditional dental bridge typically consists of two dental crowns connected by a false tooth, known as a pontic. This fixed appliance effectively “bridges” the gap caused by one or more missing teeth, ensuring that your remaining teeth stay in their proper position. Additionally, it helps restore your ability to chew and speak properly, as well as enhancing the aesthetics of your smile.
Moreover, a dental bridge can be supported by a series of dental implants. Each implant post acts as the root component for a missing tooth, making implant-supported bridges excellent tooth replacement solutions for multiple adjacent missing teeth. In certain cases, we may also suspend a pontic between two implants.
dental bridge process
The process of receiving a dental bridge is similar to that of a dental crown. This procedure is typically divided into two appointments: one for preparation and one for placement.
During your first appointment, your doctor will prepare the adjacent teeth, known as abutment teeth, to receive two dental crowns. This involves completely reshaping the enamel to accommodate the crowns' design. Once the teeth are contoured, we will take an impression of the area.
This impression is sent to our dental laboratory, where our technicians will use it to create your new dental bridge. This fabrication process generally takes a couple of weeks. In the meantime, we may provide you with a temporary bridge to protect your newly reshaped teeth.
During your second appointment, we will remove the temporary bridge and place your permanent one. Some final adjustments might be necessary to ensure the proper fit. Once we are satisfied with the alignment, we will secure the dental bridge in place using special dental cement.
Benefits of a dental bridge
Your new dental bridge will restore your smile to a more beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing state. Most bridges are fabricated using porcelain or other ceramic materials, which provide unmatched cosmetic advantages. These materials can be color-matched to your remaining teeth and textured to mimic the appearance of natural enamel. They also possess the same light-reflective properties as natural enamel, making your new restoration virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Additionally, a dental bridge prevents your remaining teeth from shifting out of their proper position while equally distributing the forces of your bite. If you're seeking effective tooth replacement solutions that allow you to chew and speak properly with a beautiful restoration, a dental bridge may be the right choice for you!
Schedule a consultation
If you are missing one or more teeth, exploring tooth replacement solutions like a dental bridge or a dental crown may be beneficial for you. Call (703) 404-9111 to schedule your consultation appointment now!