The holidays are on their way, complete with family gatherings and parties with friends. It’s the time for celebrating with happy smiles. But if you are missing teeth, especially a front tooth, chances are you aren’t smiling, regardless of the time of year.
Did you know that gaps in your teeth set the stage for future dental problems? When you bite and chew you create energy which is transferred down through your teeth into your jaw, stimulating the bone to regenerate itself and maintain a healthy mass. Without the stimulation from one or more teeth, the bone beneath the empty space begins to lose mass.
A missing tooth also creates a space where the adjacent teeth try to move in and and fill it. When your teeth move, your tooth alignment become a problem.
If you are missing a tooth or teeth a bridge is a great option.
- A bridge spans the gap of your missing tooth. It requires healthy teeth on each side of the space, called the abutment teeth, to hold the replacement tooth, called the pontic, in place. The replacement tooth is made of porcelain or ceramic from impressions taken of your teeth.
- Caps (crowns) are placed onto the abutment teeth and the replacement tooth sits between them, forming a bridge.
- To prepare for a bridge, the abutment teeth have some of their enamel removed to make room for the caps.
- Impressions are taken of your mouth so that the bridge can be made.
- A second appointment is necessary to check the fit of the bridge and to ensure that your bite is correct. When the fit is perfect, the caps are cemented onto the abutment teeth and the gap is bridged.
Cavities can still form under the bridge, so it is important to practice good dental habits and follow our instructions for care and maintenance of your new bridge. We invite you to call to schedule an appointment, today: (303) 277-9600.