The Dental Bridge Treatment Procedure
Dental Bridges
There are many problems that can arise when tooth loss has occurred. Even just a small gap of missing teeth can cause pain, create difficulty chewing, or lead to the shifting of otherwise healthy adjacent teeth. For these reasons, as well as the cosmetic improvement of the smile, it is very important to address tooth loss as soon as possible. For gaps of missing teeth surrounded by healthy teeth, a dental bridge is often the best dental treatment.At his cosmetic dentistry practice, Dr. Clint Newman can treat his Nashville patients with a dental bridge procedure in order to fill in missing gaps and restore comfort, function, and beauty to the smile.
What Is the Dental Bridge Procedure Like?
In most circumstances, the dental bridge treatment procedure can be completed in just two dental appointments with Dr. Newman. What’s more, the patient will return home with a temporary bridge after the first appointment, so the smile is improved before the treatment is even complete. While there are several options for dental bridge treatment, the most common dental bridge consists of two crowns that anchor the bridge to the two teeth on either end of the dental gap and an artificial pontic, the center piece that is fabricated to resemble one or more teeth, depending on the patient’s needs.At the initial dental appointment, the teeth will be prepared for placement of the dental bridge. This involves filing and buffing the two adjacent teeth in order to make room for the dental crowns. Once these teeth have been reshaped, molds will be taken of the treatment area to act as a model when fabricating the permanent bridge. A temporary bridge will then be placed to allow for improved oral aesthetics and function while the permanent bridge is being fabricated.
When the permanent bridge is complete, the patient will return for the final fitting of the dental bridge. The bridge will be placed in the mouth and any necessary adjustments will be made to ensure a close and comfortable fit. When the fit is satisfactory, the dental bridge will be cemented into place.
Can I Affix My Bridge to Dental Implants?
Traditional dental bridge treatment can effectively replace missing teeth to improve comfort, function, and aesthetics. Dental implants take treatment one step further by also replacing the missing tooth root. This provides a superior level of support for patients and also is beneficial in preserving healthy jaw bone tissue and offering support for the structure of the mouth. For these reasons, dental implants are another popular choice for securing a dental bridge.The dental implants treatment process is longer than the traditional dental bridge procedure. Dental implants treatment will require several procedures, including the surgical placement of the implant, the placement of a temporary restoration, and the placement of the permanent dental bridge. While this is a lengthy process, it does provide patients with a dental restoration that feels most like the natural teeth.
