Dental Bridges Can Replace Missing Teeth and Restore the Aesthetics of Your Smile
Missing teeth can have a significant impact on your oral health and your quality of life. Dental bridges, offered at Leading Dental Solutions in Lansdale, PA, are dental restorations made of multiple dental crowns that are designed to fill the gap left by missing teeth. Dr. David M. Kaffey uses dental bridges to replace up to three consecutive teeth at a time, and can be used in conjunction with dental implants to create an implant-supported bridge. Dental bridges offer structural restoration, improved health, and an enhanced, natural-looking appearance.
What are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is made of two or more crowns, and can be supported by adjacent teeth or dental implants. These restorations literally bridge a space left by missing teeth. The false tooth that fills the gap between the crowns is called a pontic. It can be made from a variety of materials, but dental porcelain provides the most natural-looking appearance.
When you trust your care to highly skilled dentists such as Dr. Kaffey and Dr. Weinstein, and maintain excellent oral health through brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, your bridge could last for over a decade.
Traditional bridges require the alteration of healthy adjacent teeth. Implant-supported bridges do not affect surrounding teeth, but do require surgical placement of the implant posts. The entire treatment process can span six months or more. However, implant-supported restorations offer unrivaled support. Implants are also the only restorative solution that can prevent the jaw atrophy that occurs in the absence of tooth roots.
Benefits and Candidacy
Bridges are a multi-beneficial treatment that can:
- Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the youthful shape of your face
- Properly distribute the force of your bite
- Maintain the alignment of your teeth
- Improve the appearance of your smile
If you are missing one, two, or three teeth in a row, you are most likely a candidate for a dental bridge. Candidates should also have healthy teeth and gums. Any decay or gum disease must be fully treated before moving ahead with any restorative treatment.
Placing the Bridge
Creating and placing a dental bridge typically requires two to three appointments. During your first consultation, your dentist will perform a thorough examination to determine your candidacy for a bridge. Your teeth will then be cleaned and prepared. If you are receiving a traditional bridge, your abutment teeth will be shaped to accommodate the placement of the crowns, and your dentist will take an impression of the gap and surrounding teeth. The impression will guide the fabrication of your bridge, which will take one to two weeks to create. During this time, you will be given a temporary bridge to protect the abutment teeth until your permanent restoration is ready.
If you are receiving an implant-supported bridge, your doctor will coordinate with an outstanding local surgeon for the placement of your implant. Dr. Kaffey or Dr. Weinstein will secure your permanent bridge once the implant has fully fused with the bone.
When your permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will use it to replace the temporary restoration. He will examine your bite, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your comfort.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
Are you ready to stop suffering with a compromised smile? When you trust your care to our highly skilled dentists, and maintain excellent oral health through brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, your bridge could last for over a decade. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
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