Missing one or more teeth can negatively impact your oral health and self-confidence. If you have gaps in your smile, dental bridges may be the ideal restorative solution. As your dentist in Okotoks, I commonly recommend bridges to replace missing teeth and restore functionality for patients. Read on for your complete guide to understanding dental bridge treatments.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is a fixed dental restoration that fills gaps where one or more teeth are missing. It spans the space left by missing teeth, connecting to crowns cemented over the adjacent natural teeth for support. The “false teeth” in the middle of the bridge replace your missing tooth roots and fill in the gap.
Benefits of Bridges
There are many advantages to choosing dental bridges near you to replace missing teeth in Okotoks:
- Improve chewing ability and bite function
- Prevent teeth shifting and bone loss
- Restore your smile and confidence
- Allow you to eat a variety of foods
- Require no removal for cleaning like dentures
- Can last a decade or more with proper care
Bridge Materials
Today’s bridges are made from strong, natural-looking materials like:
- Porcelain fused to metal: A blend of metal for strength and porcelain for aesthetics.
- All-porcelain: No metal for optimal natural translucency.
- Zirconia: Extremely durable ceramic.
- Gold alloys: Traditional material that remains a good choice.
The Dental Bridge Process
Getting a bridge is a multi-step process involving:
- Preparation appointment – I numb the area and prep the anchoring teeth for crowns that will secure the bridge. Temporary crowns are placed.
- Impressions – Precision molds are taken to fabricate your custom bridge. A temporary bridge is placed for the interim.
- Cementation – At your next visit, your permanent bridge is tried in, adjusted, and securely cemented for long-lasting strength and function.
Caring for Your Bridge
With excellent daily oral hygiene and avoiding biting hard objects, you can expect your dental bridge to last many years. Be sure to come in for regular dental cleanings and checkups so I can examine its fit and condition. Don’t neglect your bridge - with proper care it can provide natural-looking, confidence-boosting results.
Are you searching for a dentist in Okotoks, AB? Cimarron Dental Wellness, provides quality family dental care in one place. Our Okotoks dentist is accepting new patients. We aim to deliver healthy smiles to our patients. Our dentist near you treats patients of all ages. We provide a wide range of dental services exams, teeth whitening, Laser dentistry, sedation dentistry, Invisalign, dental implants, veneers, crowns, dental bridges, TMJ treatment, tooth-coloured fillings, velscope screening, root canals, gum and tooth contouring, dental checkups and many more treatments.
Restore Your Smile!
If you have one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge could be the ideal solution for you. Call my Okotoks dental office today to schedule a consultation. Let’s discuss how a professionally crafted bridge can bring back your beautiful, complete smile!
