The Procedure for Getting a Dental Bridge

No one likes having a gap between their teeth—especially when that gap is due to having one or more teeth missing. Not only is having a gap where a tooth or teeth are missing aesthetically unappealing, it is also dangerous to your oral health. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure to have any missing teeth replaced. One excellent replacement option is a dental bridge.

What Dental Bridges Are

Dental bridges are prosthetics that are fixed in place by abutments that are attached to healthy teeth. These abutments hold a pontic (false tooth or set of teeth) in place—bridging the gap where the tooth or teeth are missing. While there are different types of bridges, the most common is the traditional bridge (the type of bridge previously described).

Why a Gap Needs to Be Filled

A missing tooth or teeth isn’t just a cosmetic issue (even though it is a cosmetic issue for most patients). This gap can cause a variety of oral health issues that can pose a serious threat to your overall oral health. Some of these issues include:

• Gum Disease
• Migrating Teeth
• Tooth Decay
• Pulp Infection
• Jaw Bone Loss

Due to the teeth migrating, it can be difficult to brush and floss certain areas of your healthy teeth. This can lead to those teeth suffering from decay. The gap can also easily get infected, leading to gum disease. When a tooth or teeth are missing, your jawbone may also begin to deteriorate—which can actually change the look of your face! To avoid these oral health issues, make sure to have a replacement placed as soon as
possible.

Filling the Gap

The first step of having a gap filled between one or more missing teeth is visiting the dentist as soon as a tooth or teeth fall out or are knocked out. Your dentist also may need to pull a tooth due to infection, which will lead to a replacement needing to be placed. Once you visit your dentist, they will decide on the best course of treatment.

If your dentist decides on the placement of a dental bridge, they will begin reshaping the healthy teeth surrounding the gap. This reshaping is as minimal as possible—as your dentist will want to maintain as much of your natural, healthy teeth as possible. A mold will then be made, and will be sent away for a prosthetic to be created. Once the prosthetic is complete, it will be sent back to your dentist. They will then have you come to the office to have the dental bridge placed. Your dentist will make sure that the dental bridge matches the look of the surrounding teeth, and they will check your bite. If they are satisfied with the prosthetic, they will place it using dental bonding cement.

Make sure that you fill a gap where one or more teeth are missing to ensure your overall oral health.

Dr. Lois Lee and the team at Meadowdale Dental Clinic in Lynnwood, WA are highly skilled and experienced with cosmetic and restorative dental bridges. Contact their team today to find out more information on how to get started!

If you're looking for more information on dental bridges, here's some additional information on the differences between dental bridges and dental implants.