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Dental Bridges & Partials
Dental bridges are a popular solution for replacing missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics. Comprising one or more artificial teeth, bridges are anchored to adjacent natural teeth or implants, bridging the gap caused by missing teeth. This restores proper chewing ability, maintains facial structure, and prevents remaining teeth from shifting. At Lexington Dental, our skilled team customizes bridges to seamlessly blend with your natural smile, ensuring comfort and durability.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
Dental Bridges & Partials
What Is A Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge literally bridges the gap between healthy teeth and a missing tooth. It is a good restoration option for patients who do not have enough bone structure to support a dental implant or who simply don’t want to commit to getting an implant.
Bridges are a less costly alternative to replacing a missing tooth compared to a dental implant, and will still provide a long-lasting restoration to your smile. The traditional 3-unit dental bridge consists of the replacement tooth (the pontic) held in place on either side by dental crowns (abutments), which are cemented onto the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth.
Dental Bridges & Partials
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Because dental bridges are fixed into place, they are very stable. They prevent the shifting of surrounding teeth, bite and alignment issues that would otherwise occur with a missing tooth. Patients with a dental bridge will find that they can speak and chew quite comfortably, and there is usually little to no need to change eating habits. Dental bridges are also custom made for each patient to match their surrounding teeth, meaning your smile will look very natural!
Benefits of Dental Bridges
The Procedure
Dental Bridges & Partials
The Dental Bridge Procedure
The traditional 3-unit dental bridge consists of the replacement tooth (the pontic) held in place on either side by dental crowns (abutments), which are cemented onto the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. The procedure is similar to that of receiving a dental crown, and typically two or more visits are required.
During the first visit, the abutment (neighboring healthy) teeth are reshaped so that crowns can be placed over them. An impression of the teeth is made, which is sent to a dental laboratory to create the bridge. In the meantime, you will be fitted with a temporary bridge to protect your teeth while the permanent one is being crafted.
On the second visit, Dr. Eunyoung Shim will remove the temporary bridge and check and adjust the new permanent bridge as necessary. We will confirm that the permanent bridge matches the size, shape and color of your natural teeth, and also check for proper fit and bite. Multiple visits may be needed to ensure that the bridge is fitting properly before cementing it permanently into place.
Dental Bridges & Partials
How To Care For Your Dental Bridge
As with all dental restorations, proper care of your bridge is extremely important to avoid difficulties with the restoration and prolong its life. Fortunately, caring for a dental bridge is quite easy; it simply needs good oral hygiene and care. That means: brush and floss daily to keep your entire mouth and area surrounding the bridge healthy, and visit your dentist regularly! With proper dental hygiene and care, bridges can typically last for 10-15 years or longer!
Have any questions or concerns about how to take care of your bridge? Don’t hesitate to Lexington Dental, we’ll be happy to help!
How to Care Dental Bridges
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