Replace Your Missing Teeth with Dental Bridges
Missing teeth affect more than your smile. Immediately, your missing teeth affect your ability to chew properly and speak clearly. Over time, missing teeth cause your nearby teeth to shift, which affects your bite and overall health. Fortunately, you can reverse the adverse effects of tooth loss by considering tooth replacement options.
One way to replace your missing teeth is by using a dental bridge. As the name suggests, a dental bridge fills the gap left by the missing tooth. If you want to see what dental bridges can do for your smile in Noblesville, Indiana, please schedule an appointment with Robert L. Holloway, DDS.
How dental bridges replace missing teeth
A dental bridge uses artificial teeth (pontics) to bridge gaps left by missing teeth. Pontics can be implanted in your jawbone or supported by healthy teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap. Traditional dental bridges use two crowns mounted on healthy teeth. However, cantilever bridges connect pontics to a single dental crown.
The dental bridge procedure
The process of getting a traditional bridge requires at least two dental appointments. During the first appointment, our dental team prepares the abutment teeth by filing down and reshaping your enamel. This tooth preparation makes room for a dental crown.
Then, we take your oral impressions, which a lab technician uses to fabricate your bridge and dental crowns. Since the fabrication process may take a few days, we protect your prepped smile with a temporary bridge.
During your second appointment, the dentist installs dental crowns over the abutment teeth and then attaches the pontics on the crowns. We smooth out the rough edges on your dental bridge and make other necessary adjustments to ensure your bite is comfortable. It may take a week or two before you become comfortable with your bridge. However, when you get used to your dental bridge, you will forget you have one.
Complete your smile with dental bridges
We use porcelain dental bridges to ensure we replace your missing teeth while maintaining the natural aesthetics of your smile. If you want to see how dental bridges can benefit your oral health in Noblesville, IN, please dial (317) 672-0950 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Holloway.