Replacing lost teeth with a dental bridge has many advantages. Tooth loss does not just affect the appearance of the smile, but also the ability to talk and chew easily, teeth alignment, and the person’s confidence. A dental bridge closes the gap between teeth and prevents further damage. Read on to find out how bridges can help restore teeth alignment.
If a tooth is lost or extracted, the nearby teeth may move into the space that is left over. Each tooth is aligned uniquely, depending on the shape of the jaw and bite alignment. When there is a slight disruption, the arrangement of the teeth becomes imbalanced. The missing tooth can make the existing teeth misaligned; this may expose tooth roots, causing teeth sensitivity and susceptibility to bacterial invasion and infection. Teeth misalignment can also cause problems in the jaw joints.
A dental bridge consists of a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) known as the pontic that is supported by one or two healthy teeth (called abutments), usually covered by dental crowns. Bridges are custom-made to appear natural and restore normal dental functions.
There are two methods of stopping the teeth from moving out of alignment after tooth loss. Use a space maintainer to hold the space occupied by the lost tooth: This works as a temporary solution until a replacement tooth is provided. The other option is to use a tooth restoration, like a dental bridge. Unlike the space maintainer that only preserves the gap, the dental bridge covers it with a custom prosthetic tooth.
For the dental bridge placement, the dentist will prepare the teeth close to the gap to get dental crowns. This is done by filing down the surfaces of those teeth. The bridge, as well as the crowns that will fit over the prepared teeth, will be custom-made with impressions of the teeth. To get the custom fitting, the dentist will make a mold of the patient’s teeth. The mold reveals important details of how the teeth align against each other so that the dental lab can fabricate a dental restoration that fits.
Producing a dental bridge takes some time. There could be a few weeks between the first appointment for the bridge preparation and the appointment when the patient finally gets the dental bridge. The patient will get a temporary bridge after the first visit. This will protect the prepared teeth and the gap from further damage and bacteria.
After the dental bridge is ready, the dentist will want to ensure that the restoration fits in the patient’s mouth comfortably. A wrong-fitting bridge will not just cause discomfort, but it may also cause problems such as bruises and infections. For a more accurate fitting, the dentist may adjust the bridge or take new molds to have the bridge remade. If the dentist and the patient are satisfied with the dental restoration, it will be bonded permanently in place.
If you have missing teeth, you need to visit a dentist for a tooth-replacement option. A dental bridge can replace the lost teeth and stop other teeth from moving out of place.
Request an appointment here: https://www.markexlerdds.com or call Mark D. Exler, D.D.S., F.A.C.P. at (818) 926-4983 for an appointment in our Encino office.
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