Dental Bridges: Restoring Your Smile and Oral Function

Dental bridges are appliances that can replace one or more missing teeth. They are cemented into place, or attached, to your natural teeth or implants surrounding the space. At Advanced Dentistry of Walnut Creek, a dental bridge comprises two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth in between. The false tooth, called a pontic, is fused between the crowns. A dental bridge can completely restore your smile, giving you the confidence to live your life to the fullest without any embarrassment or self-consciousness about your smile. Bridges are durable, so you can continue using your bridge for a lifetime if you care properly for it. Although other tooth replacement options are available, most patients find dental bridges more comfortable than other options. You may also be able to eat and speak normally with your new dental bridge in place.

The Procedure for Dental Bridges

Your dentist will examine your teeth to ensure a bridge is the right treatment. You may need X-rays to determine if you have enough strong and healthy teeth and bone structures to support a bridge. If so, your dentist will file down the abutment teeth to make room for a crown. Impressions of your teeth will be made and sent to a laboratory where your custom bridge will be designed and made. When the bridge is ready, the abutment teeth are again prepped for the crown portion. Once the permanent bridge is placed and you have checked to ensure it fits comfortably and looks natural, you can care for it just like your natural teeth. You must avoid hard or sticky foods that could damage your new restoration. It would help to practice good oral hygiene at home with daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits for professional cleanings and exams.

Advantages of Dental Bridges

The benefits of a dental bridge include restoring the appearance and function of your smile. Bridges can be used to replace one or more missing teeth, and they can also be used to anchor a denture in place by attaching it to the surrounding teeth on each side. A dental bridge is customized to fit your smile comfortably, and it should blend in seamlessly with your surrounding teeth for a natural look.

Another benefit of a dental bridge is that it can help improve bite alignment. When a missing tooth causes the remaining teeth to shift out of place, it can affect your bite and lead to several oral health concerns. By replacing the lost tooth with a bridge, you can prevent the shifting of your teeth and improve your overall dental health.

If you’ve lost a tooth and are looking for an affordable, effective, and long-lasting solution, consider the benefits of getting a dental bridge. Visit Advanced Dentistry of Walnut Creek at 2161 Ygnacio Valley Rd # 110, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, or call (925) 937-2273 to learn more about dental bridges.