Why patients in Clearwater and Seminole, FL, choose dental bridges to replace missing teeth
Oral health is a journey. And at Boulevard Dental, we work closely with patients in Clearwater, Seminole, and Greater Pinellas County, FL, to keep their mouths healthy and looking great. But should we be unable to preserve a natural tooth with root canal therapy or other endodontic treatments, Drs Wujick, Moss, Kopakin and Castillo have many options to replace missing teeth promptly. Dental bridges are one of the most time-tested restorative methods available to dentists, and they present a durable, natural, and cost-effective alternative to implant-supported crowns and bridges. Some individuals are not appropriate candidates for implants. Others may not want to undergo the process of implant placement or associated procedures (such as bone grafting) to “ready” the jaw to support the implant.
Now, to be a candidate for dental bridges, patients must have at least some remaining healthy teeth. The presence of existing healthy teeth is a “must” because the bridge is supported by neighboring teeth, unlike crowns or bridges supported by implants placed in the jawbone. To “prepare” the neighboring teeth, these “abutments,” as they’re called, are crowned. Crowns necessitate the removal of some natural tooth structure. That way, the crown fits over the reduced tooth properly. The crowns are then fused to the pontic or replacement tooth. Then, the pontic and crowns are cemented to the abutment teeth. Once securely bonded in place, the crowns cover the abutments and “bridge” or fill in the gap between the abutment teeth with the fused pontic or replacement tooth. There are variations in the design of bridges, depending partly on the number of teeth that need to be replaced and the number (and location) of existing teeth.
Bridges
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.
Bridges are made from dental materials designed to mimic the natural appearance, feeling, and function of healthy teeth. So, they are appropriate even for those patients who are missing highly noticeable front teeth in the “smile zone.” Additionally, dental bridges support the strength of supporting bone and the health of neighboring teeth. Missing teeth tend to hasten bone loss in the jaw, which negatively affects everything from chewing and speech to the appearance of the face. Teeth also tend to shift toward the gap. Other teeth tend to bear uneven stress when their neighbors are missing, making them vulnerable to breakage and damage.
There are numerous health, cosmetic, and functional reasons to replace teeth now rather than later. Do not delay scheduling your consultation at one of our offices in Clearwater (727) 758-2898 or Seminole (727) 308-6224.
