Your Kelowna Invisalign Provider
What is a Dental Bridge?
If you are missing teeth you might notice changes to your speech or your ability to chew effectively. This is because missing teeth can no longer guide the tongue when talking and chewing food properly can be difficult when you don't have a full set of teeth.
To help restore your smile, your dentist may suggest a dental bridge. This is an artificial tooth replacement option that consists of one or more false teeth (called pontics) that a dentist uses to fill gaps in your smile.
Dental bridges are custom-made for each patient and can be barely noticeable when worn.
Uses For Dental Bridges
Not only will replacing missing teeth help restore your ability to chew and talk, but it can also prevent future dental issues, like gum disease, from developing so you can maintain long-term oral health.
Your dentist may also use a dental bridge to achieve the following benefits:
- Helping to restore the natural contour of your teeth
- Assisting in restoring the bite between your upper and lower teeth
- Helping to prevent surrounding teeth from shifting or falling out
The Bridge Procedure
This procedure typically requires two dental appointments. At your first appointment, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth so your custom bridge can be created. While you wait for your permanent bridge to be made, your dentist will fit you with a temporary bridge.
Once your custom permanent bridge is ready, you will come in for your next appointment. The temporary bridge will be removed then your dentist will bond the permanent bridge to the teeth on either side of the gap.
Before using permanent dental cement, your dentist may temporarily affix the bridge to allow you to test the fit, allowing for any adjustments to be made if necessary. If your new custom bridge fits well, they will attach it using permanent cement.
