What are Dental Bridges?

Whether a tooth is lost due to an injury, medical condition, or natural causes, you’ll probably want to have it replaced. Not only is it inconvenient when eating, but it can also create an unattractive gap in your smile. Missing teeth can also affect oral health, as the remaining teeth may shift into the space, affecting your bite and possibly even the jaw’s alignment. A dental bridge is a common and effective procedure for replacing missing teeth. Your dentist at Kingwood Perfect Smiles is experienced in providing high-quality restorations in Kingwood, TX.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a dental prosthetic consisting of the actual teeth replacement (called the pontic) anchored to abutment teeth, usually topped with dental crowns.

How do dental bridges work?

The pontic relies on the abutment teeth to stay in place. The entire prosthetic will improve your smile’s appearance and allow you to use your teeth normally again.

Dental bridge placement

The procedure for placing a bridge usually will not require any sedation, though the area of the mouth being treated will be numbed with a local anesthetic. To place a bridge, the abutment teeth must be prepared first. This will require them to be shaved down a portion to allow the dental crowns to fit. Then, an impression will be taken of the prepared teeth and the gap. The bridge will be created in a dental laboratory using these impressions. Temporary crowns or a temporary bridge will be placed to protect the prepared teeth. When the bridge is completed, the temporary fixtures will be taken out, and the permanent dental bridge will be bonded into place. Your dentist in Kingwood, TX, will adjust for a perfect fit and bite.

Benefits of dental bridges

First, a dental bridge offers the benefit of restoring the appearance of your smile – you will no longer be self-conscious about having a gap in your teeth. In addition, a bridge will restore the function of your teeth so that you will no longer have problems chewing or biting. It can also help improve your speech.

A dental bridge is the best option for replacing teeth. Talk to your dentist at Kingwood Perfect Smiles in Kingwood, TX, to determine whether it will be the best solution.