Speaking, chewing, eating, these are all things that play an important part in your quality of life. When you are missing teeth, these things become harder and more difficult to do. Fortunately, Watt Antelope Family Dentist located in North Highlands, has options to correct lost or missing teeth. One of the services offered in our North Highlands dental office is dental bridging.
A dental bridge is a permanent, prosthetic device that replaces a missing tooth or teeth by connecting to adjacent natural teeth. It quite literally bridges the gap, as the name itself implies. A permanent bridge is an alternative to dentures, which can become loose or difficult to use. In contrast, fixed dentures are immovable and can make laughing, eating, and talking much easier for those with missing teeth. They can be applied in usually one of two ways–by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth to fortify them or by being bonded directly onto the adjacent teeth. It is important that you maintain the health of your teeth as adjacent teeth need to be strong enough to support the dental bridge.
Replacing missing teeth is vital to maintaining a healthy, youthful appearance. If a patient does not replace missing teeth, it could cause the rest of their teeth to shift, their face to begin aging more rapidly, and their cheeks and lips to sag. Missing teeth can also be the source of discomfort or poor body confidence which is why it is crucial that you replace missing teeth as soon as possible. It can also cause other potentially harmful problems, such as gum disease, as the missing teeth cause other teeth to take in more stress and pressure when performing regular activities, thus weakening all of your remaining teeth.
A dental bridge can be attached in two to three appointments, generally speaking. At the first visit, your dentist will prepare the teeth which will support your dental bridge to make sure that prosthetic will fit nicely and not cause any pain or discomfort. Dental bridges are made in a lab to ensure that they fit you perfectly. Usually, you will be given a temporary bridge to ensure your comfort before having the permanent dental bridge fixed into your gap. Should you have any questions about this procedure, want to schedule a consultation or regular appointment, call Watt Antelope Family Dentist today.