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While our patients greatly benefit from the various advances in dentistry, there are some treatments and devices which stand the test of time and remain useful and practical. One such apparatus is the dental bridge. Dentists still find that dental bridges are an effective way to treat a patient with missing teeth.
There are several ways dental bridges help patients including:
• Create a beautiful smile
• Allow patients to chew and speak properly
• Repair your bite by evenly distributing the force among several teeth again
• Maintain the position of your natural teeth by filling spaces where teeth tend to drift into over time
• Keep up your facial shape
Our dentist in Van Nuys uses bridges to span the empty space between teeth. Typically, porcelain or ceramic are the materials of choice for the dental bridges. A metal alloy needs to fuse to the porcelain or ceramic covering; this creates a bridge that is strong and stable. Occasionally, a patient may request an all-metal bridge. A dental bridge usually requires the patient to come in at least twice, before the bridge is complete.
Our dentist relies on teeth on each side of the gap to anchor the bridge in place. To do this, these teeth, known as abutment teeth, are reshaped to make enough space for caps, as well as the false teeth which are called pontic teeth. Next, our dentist creates molds of the area for the dental lab. It may take a week or more until the lab completes the permanent bridge. In the meantime, our dentist will prepare a temporary bridge for the patient to wear.
Our dentist may temporarily cement the permanent bridge in place to allow the patient time to be sure it is a good fit. After a week, our dentist permanently bonds the bridge in place.
A bridge can last around ten years or longer if there is a commitment to good oral hygiene. Good oral health is a key in assuring long life for dental bridges. If you would like more information about dental bridges, please contact our office.