Services
DENTAL BRIDGES
Why Dental Bridges are Important?
Losing a tooth or more can affect the appearance and functionality of your smile. Such as a change in your bite (occlusion), shifting of teeth, TMJ disorder, and increase risk of periodontal disease. Dental bridges are an effective way to replace teeth in just a few dental visits. They consist of a pontic, or artificial tooth, and dental crowns, and they are great for replacing a single tooth or a few teeth. Our dental professionals will recommend a dental bridge if you are missing one or a few teeth. You simply need a healthy tooth on both sides of the gap.
What is the process to get a dental bridge?
Candidates for dental bridges will begin the process with a dental evaluation from our dentists. During this evaluation, we will visually inspect your teeth and gums, and we may also take dental X-rays and impressions, which will be used to plan your treatment. The abutment teeth, or the teeth that will support the bridge, need to be prepared. Our dentist uses a local anesthetic to numb the region and then shapes the tooth to fit comfortably inside the crowns. Next, impressions of the teeth are made and sent to the dental lab that will make the bridge. A couple of visits may be required to check the fit, bite, and color of the bridge, And finally, on your last visit the bridge will be cemented into place
How do I care for a bridge?
While bridges can be cleaned just like your own natural teeth, they do need some extra attention to ensure they reach their maximum lifespan. Brush them with care, especially around the border of the crown, and use floss to clean between the crowns and the adjacent teeth. Use a floss threader to thread the floss over the pontic so that you can clean this hard-to-reach area thoroughly and remove any plaque and debris that could irritate your gums. Visit our dentists at Hamlin Dental Group twice a year for cleanings and exams.
The biggest benefit of a dental bridge is that it can restore your smile. You will be able to flash your gorgeous smile as much as you want without feeling self-conscious about the gap. Restore the ability to properly eat and chew food. Prevent adjacent teeth from drifting out of position. The placement of a bridge is also fast and affordable, which makes them a popular option. Finally, they help distribute bite forces more evenly to reduce the risk of excess stress on the remaining teeth.
Call us today to learn more about how a dental bridge can restore your smile or schedule an appointment with one of our dentists at any of the Hamlin Dental Group offices in Van Nuys, North Hollywood, or Northridge area.
