Dental Bridges for Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can have a big impact on your life, making the importance of having all your teeth paramount. When you have a cracked, missing, or otherwise messed up tooth, you may feel self-conscious about your smile, but, even worse, sometimes these issues can make it difficult to do things like eating or speaking.
Luckily, there are many dentistry options to restore broken or missing teeth. One of these options is called a dental bridge.
With a bridge, you can restore function and form to your mouth, so all your teeth can work together as they’re supposed to. And, you’ll love your smile once again. At Torrey Dental, dental bridges are one of many restorative dentistry options we provide.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Torrey to determine if dental bridges or another option would be right for you. Call us today to learn more!
Request An AppointmentWhat Is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are an option for replacing missing teeth. If you have a damaged tooth, it may need to be pulled. After the tooth or teeth are removed, a dental bridge can take their place.
While dental crowns are a good option for one missing tooth, dental bridges can replace one or even up to a row of missing teeth.
This dental apparatus will “bridge” the gap or hole that’s left from the missing teeth. The bridge is custom-made to match the size of your mouth and the shape and color of your other teeth.
Here are the basic components of dental bridge:
- Abutments: The abutments are the structures that support the teeth of the bridge. An abutment may be placed on your natural teeth to support the bridge, or they can be placed as connectors between your bridge and dental implants in your jaw.
- Pontics: The pontic is the artificial tooth or teeth that will take the place of your missing natural tooth.
Have questions about how dental bridges work and what they look like? Set up a consultation to get an individualized treatment plan and see if they are a good option for you.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
At Torrey Dental, we understand the challenges and discomforts that come with missing teeth. That’s why we offer dental bridges as a practical and effective solution. Here’s a more detailed look at how we handle dental bridges at our practice:
- Consultation and Examination: Your journey towards a dental bridge begins with a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Marcus Torrey. During this session, we assess your oral health, examine the gap left by the missing teeth, and discuss your specific needs and expectations. This step is crucial for devising a personalized treatment plan.
- Preparation for the Bridge: If you’re a suitable candidate for a dental bridge, the next step involves preparing the abutment teeth (the teeth on either side of the missing tooth gap). This may involve recontouring these teeth to properly fit the bridge. Impressions of your teeth are then taken to create a model, which is used to craft your custom bridge, ensuring a perfect fit and a natural look.
- Temporary Bridge Placement: While your permanent bridge is being made, a temporary bridge may be placed to protect the exposed gums and teeth.
- Fitting the Permanent Bridge: Once your custom dental bridge is ready, you’ll return to our office for the fitting. Dr. Torrey will check and adjust the bridge as necessary to ensure a comfortable and accurate fit.
- Follow-Up Care: We provide comprehensive instructions on caring for your new dental bridge, including hygiene practices and follow-up visits. Regular check-ups are essential to monitor the health of your bridge and the surrounding teeth.
- Restoration of Function and Aesthetics: With the dental bridge in place, you can enjoy restored functionality in terms of chewing and speaking, along with an enhanced appearance. Our bridges are designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, both in shape and color.
- Long-Term Support: At Torrey Dental, we are committed to the long-term success of your dental treatments. We’re always available to address any concerns or adjustments that might be necessary over time.
For more information about our dental bridge procedures or to schedule a consultation, contact Torrey Dental today. Our team is dedicated to restoring your smile and improving your oral health with high-quality, personalized dental care.
Advantages of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges aren’t the only choice to replace missing or broken teeth. They do give their pros and cons, but there are some overall benefits of dental bridges.
Here’s why you should consider this restorative dentistry option:
- They are natural-looking: Because the pontics, or artificial teeth, are custom-made to match your other teeth, they blend in well with the rest of your smile.
- They restore function for your mouth: With a dental bridge, you can chew, eat, and speak much more easily without a missing or damaged tooth getting in the way.
- They keep the adjoining teeth from shifting: When one or more of your teeth are gone, the neighboring teeth may shift into this empty space. A dental bridge prevents this.
While dental bridges may need to be adjusted as your jaw health changes, they are sturdy and can last around 5–15 years. They also tend to be more affordable than a more permanent option like a dental implant.
Call Today to Schedule Your Restoration Consultation
You could be a good candidate for a dental bridge. Dr. Marcus Torrey and the entire staff at Torrey Dental want you to like your teeth and feel good about your dental health.
A dental bridge could be the right option to give you a healthy, happy smile that’s strong enough for all your daily activities. Set up an appointment to restore your smile today!