Information on Dental Bridges

An amazing smile can help you to feel confident, and can boost your self-esteem. A smile with a gap in it, though, can really affect your confidence. Going beyond how you see yourself, a gap in your teeth can actually do a lot of damage to your oral health. Due to a gap in your teeth, you may develop infections, decay, tooth migration and even damage to your jaw. Because of this, you’ll want to fill the gap between your teeth as soon as possible. One of the best ways to fill the gap is with a dental bridge.

So, What Exactly is a Dental Bridge?

When you have a gap that extends the length of one or more missing teeth, a bridge may be the best solution for filling the gap. A dental bridge is a dental appliance with a pontic (false tooth or set of teeth) that is placed between two abutments that are placed on healthy teeth—forming a bridge between the teeth.

Why Would I Want a Dental Bridge?

Whether you have a tooth that has fallen out, a tooth that needs to be extracted or a couple of teeth that have been knocked out, you’ll want to make sure that you fill the gap that is left over. If you don’t fill the gap with an implant, bridge or denture, you will notice a variety of issues with your teeth, gums, jaw and more. You may notice:

• Issues with your bite.
• Tooth migration.
• Tooth decay or gum disease due to the inability to properly brush.
• Damage to the integrity of the jawbone.
• Changes to the actual structure of the jawbone, leading to changes in the appearance of your face.

A gap can cause major oral health issues, and the problem of a gap between your teeth needs to be solved as soon as possible to ensure the health of your gums, jawbone and your remaining teeth.

What Is the Process of Having a Bridge Placed?

If you have a tooth fall out, or your tooth or teeth are damaged or knocked out due to some form of accident, you’ll want to set an appointment with your dentist immediately. From there, you can discuss replacement options. If you schedule an appointment due to tooth pain, swelling or other issues with a tooth, your dentist may suggest extraction. If this is the case, you can speak with your dentist about replacement options.

Once your dentist and you decide on a dental bridge, your dentist will begin the procedure of having your bridge constructed and placed. They will reshape the teeth in which the crowns (abutments) will be placed, then take an impression—which they will send to a lab to have the appliance constructed. Once the bridge is created, it is sent back to the dentist’s office. Your dentist will then check to make sure it fits and matches the surrounding teeth. Your dentist will then cement the bridge in place. If you have a missing tooth or teeth, set an appointment with your dentist today to discuss your tooth replacement options.

Dental Bridges are an amazing investment if they're right for you. Contact Iowa Dental Group Today to see if we can help bring health an happiness to your smile.