When you don’t feel comfortable enough to smile, you can’t truly be yourself. Moments that should be enjoyable—from taking pictures with family to laughing with a friend—may actually make you feel self-conscious and keep you from living life to the fullest. Dental bridges are a popular way to replace missing teeth and thus restore your smile.
What are They?
Dental bridges can help you replace any teeth you have lost as a result of disease or injuries. A fixed dental bridge features a replacement tooth, called a pontic. This pontic fills in the empty space left behind by a missing tooth. The bridge also has two abutment teeth, which are crowns—or tooth-colored caps—placed on top of the two teeth surrounding the empty space. The ability to improve your smile and prevent tooth shifting are a couple of major benefits of dental bridges. Farmington Hills dentists also recommend bridges because they can help prevent jaw disorders as well as periodontal disease.
Bridge Process
The application of bridges typically requires two visits. Your dentist will numb the teeth in the area so they can be cleaned and then reduced for the abutment teeth. Then, the dentist will take an impression of the teeth so that a dental lab can create a bridge customized to your mouth. You can expect to receive your permanent bridge in about two weeks. Until then, you will receive a temporary bridge.
Cosmetic Bridge Options
There are a couple specific types of bridges that may work best in your situation. One is called a cantilever bridge, which is used when teeth are present on just one side of your mouth’s empty space. The Pontiac is simply attached to two crowns that are situated side-by-side, completely covering your empty space. Your dentist may instead use what is called a Maryland bridge if you have missing teeth in the front of your mouth. This type of bridge features metal bands that care coated with white-colored resin along with a pontic and crowns. A reputable dentist will administer the right bridge for you so that you can smile again with confidence.
Valley Dental can create a customized dental bridge for you. To learn more about dental bridges, visit our website.
