Dental Bridges

Today more than ever before dental patients have options when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Teeth can go missing for number of reasons including injury, trauma or illness. When this happens a smile as well as overall general oral functionality can be affected. Missing teeth can also affect proper occlusion and may cause surrounding teeth to move or shift. Some studies also indicate that when missing teeth are not replaced that there is an increased probability of periodontal disease or serious tooth decay. Most notably, dental bridges offer the advantage of being able to replace teeth that have gone missing just as dental implants and partial dentures are also able to do quite effectively. Keep in mind that missing teeth that are not replaced can even result in speech impediments.

Immediately Surrounding Teeth are Modified

Bridges can either be removable or non-removable depending on which type is chosen. There are various names used for the different types of dental bridges including resin bonded, cantilever and conventional fixed bridges. Your dental care provider can explain in detail each of the different dental bridges that are available today. With cantilever and conventional type bridges, immediately surrounding teeth are modified or shaped to accommodate a crown or cap that will then hold the bridge firmly in place. Conversely, a resin bonded type bridge is unique in that it requires less modification to existing adjacent natural teeth. This type of arrangement is most commonly seen when replacing front teeth.

Preoperative Photos are Taken

Modern widely available bridges can be made from a number of different types of materials. Fabrications can be crafted from porcelain and metal as well as those made of porcelain and gold. Bridges can also be crafted in a lab using zirconia or alumina. This is another case where talking with your dental care provider is the best way to know which type of material will suit your needs the best. Factors that can affect which type of material will be used include where the bridge will be placed within the mouth along with whether or not the patient is inclined to grind their teeth. Your dental care provider will initially take x-rays and impressions of the area to be treated. In addition, pre-operative photos are taken to help in the planning stages of fitting dental bridges. Other factors that must be considered include the number of teeth that are missing as well as the health of the surrounding natural teeth that are ultimately needed to create an anchor point for a bridge.

The Final Fabricated Permanent Bridge is Placed

Your dentist will likely also take additional impressions in order to produce the most perfect results possible. In an initial visit, your dental care provider will examine overall gum health and the condition of your teeth. During the actual procedure, patients are given a local anesthetic so that the procedure may begin virtually pain-free. Molds are created of the teeth through the use of impressions which will then be used to fabricate the actual bridge. Patients are fitted with a temporary bridge until the final fabricated permanent bridge is placed. This helps to protect the gums in the interim. Of course, this will require a second visit for a final fitting. Lastly, your dentist will provide you with recovery and post procedure care recommendations. Contact your Walnut Creek dental Implant specialist, Massood Darvishzadeh, DDS at Dental Implant Solutions today to learn more about dental bridges and all that they offer.