Dental Bridges Specialist

What are dental bridges?

Dental bridges replace one or more teeth with artificial teeth permanently fixed in your mouth. Artificial replacement teeth are attached to dental crowns on either side of the missing tooth. 

Bridges are created from composite resin or other strong, durable materials and look like your natural teeth. Not only do dental bridges restore your cosmetic appearance, but they also restore the functional role of your teeth for biting and chewing.

What are the health concerns of missing teeth?

Your mouth needs all of your teeth to function properly. When you're missing one or more teeth, you may have oral health problems that increase over time and general discomfort. 

Missing teeth can cause surrounding teeth to move into the empty space or to tilt forward or backward. Missing teeth cause uneven bite distribution, which creates excess pressure on some of the teeth in your mouth, leading to increased wear-and-tear on the enamel. 

Missing teeth also change the structure of your jawbone over time and can lead to jawbone deterioration. 

What problems can dental bridges correct?

The dental team at Irma A. Francisco, DDS Inc. may recommend a dental bridge to:

• Restore your ability to speak, eat, and chew normally
• Relieve excess pressure on your teeth
• Replace unwanted removable dental appliances with a permanent device
• Prevent your teeth from moving out of position
• Improve the shape and volume of your face while preventing jawbone deterioration
• Restore confidence in your appearance

The team helps you determine whether a custom dental bridge is the right choice for restoring your smile and tooth functioning after tooth loss.

What should I expect when getting a dental bridge?

The team at Irma A. Francisco, DDS Inc. removes a small amount of enamel from the teeth on either side of your missing tooth and creates an impression of your mouth. The impression is sent to a lab to create a dental bridge and crowns customized to your mouth. 

During the next dental appointment, your dentist places the crowns on the teeth on either side of your missing tooth, secures the bridge in your mouth, and checks that your bite is correct and the fit is comfortable. Once the fit is confirmed, the bridge is permanently secured in your mouth with dental cement.

How do I care for a dental bridge?

The artificial, replacement tooth of a bridge sits on top of your gum. Caring for dental bridges is similar to good oral hygiene practices for the rest of your teeth. 

In addition to brushing and flossing the outside of the crown, you’ll need to use a special flossing tool to clean between the artificial tooth and your gums to prevent infection from food trapped between your bridge and gums.

To find out if a dental bridge can replace the missing teeth in your mouth, call Irma A. Francisco, DDS Inc. or book an appointment online today.