Statistics are not good! More than 100 million American adults are missing one or more of their natural teeth and nearly 20 million adults in the U.S. are missing all their teeth!
If you’ve also lost a single tooth or have several missing teeth, you better plan a tooth replacement procedure, as soon as possible. Replacing missing teeth not only helps restoring your smile, but can also prevent health issues, like gum disease or jaw bone loss.
One of the restorative options that your Everett dentist could recommend for you is a dental bridge.
What is a Dental bridge?
Dental bridges are a common dental solution for replacement of one or more missing teeth by bridging the gap, created by missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and an artificial tooth in between.
Depending on the way they anchor to the adjacent teeth, dental bridges could be:
• Traditional bridges
Traditional bridges consist of two abutment teeth and one or more artificial teeth between them. Those bridges are the most common types of dental bridges and are usually made of ceramic or porcelain, fused to metal.
• Cantilever bridges
Sometimes natural teeth are only present on one side of a missing tooth, in which case dentists may fit cantilever bridges. Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but are attached on just one side.
• Maryland bridges
Maryland bridges, also known as resin-bonded bridges, are usually recommended for replacing lost teeth at the front of the mouth. In this restoration, the artificial teeth are fused to metal bands, which are then fixed to the abutment teeth with resin cement.
To choose the best bridge solution for your needs, you should consult your Everett dentist.
How is dental bridge placement performed?
Dental bridge placement begins with preparation of the patient’s teeth on each side of the gap for placement of the artificial teeth. Your Everett dentist will sculpt the surrounding teeth so that there is sufficient space to allow for the placement of the false tooth. Once the preparation is done, an impression of your teeth is taken to create a model that will provide the basis for the dental bridge production. A temporary bridge will be placed over your teeth to protect them until your permanent bridge is completed.
If you are missing any of your teeth, you should consult a professional Everett dentist, like Dr. Gowda from Perfect Smiles Dentistry to get your smile restored. Missing teeth not only look unaesthetic, but they can also lead to serious complications, like gum disease and tooth decay.
What are the benefits of dental bridge?
Key benefits of dental bridges include:
• Prevention of gum disease and joint disorders
• Prevention of adjacent teeth from shifting or rotating
• Allowing you to dine and speak properly
• Restoration of the aesthetics of your smile and better self-confidence