Dental Bridges Simi Valley, CA
Your smile is an important asset to your life and missing teeth can have a serious negative impact. It is essential to maintain oral health for both your appearance and overall well-being. Your dentist may offer you dental bridges as a solution to tooth loss.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are natural-looking tooth replacements that help maintain facial structure, reduce stress on the jaw, and fill in the gaps caused by missing teeth. Dental bridges are also designed to improve your smile’s appearance while improving overall functionality.
Dental bridges, also called pontics, consist of one or more teeth. They are anchored in place with dental crowns and then attached to your adjacent teeth.
Tooth issues dental bridges can address
A dental bridge can be used to:
- Restore an attractive smile
- Reduce the risk of gum disease
- Restore the ability to bite and chew
- Improve speech
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
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What are the different types of dental bridges?
Your dentist can evaluate you to determine which dental bridge is the right choice for your dental needs. There are three main types of bridges:
Traditional Bridges:
Also known as fixed bridges, traditional bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. The procedure involves creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic, or a false tooth, in between. Fixed bridges are the most common type of dental bridges and are either made out of porcelain fused to metal or out of ceramics.
Resin-Bonded Bridges:
Also known as Maryland-bonded bridges, resin-bonded bridges are primarily used for the front teeth. They are less expensive than fixed bridges and are best for use when the teeth are healthy and do not have any large fillings. During this procedure, a false tooth is fused with resin to metal bands which are then bonded to the adjacent teeth and hidden from view. Resin-bonded bridges require only minimal preparation of the adjacent teeth.
CANTILEVER BRIDGES:
These bridges are used in areas of the mouth that are under minimal stress, such as the back teeth. Cantilever bridges are recommended when there are teeth on only one side of the open space. This type of bridge requires a dental crown for the adjacent teeth, so the pontic has adequate support.
The Dental Bridge Procedure In Simi Valley, CA
While it can often feel stressful for patients to undergo dental procedures, rest assured that a restorative dental professional can ease you through the process.
There are several steps that are taken in order to create a bridge:
First Step:
After deemed to be a suitable candidate for dental bridges, your dentist will create a treatment plan. This will include the type of bridge, the number of pontics needed, and the materials needed to complete the implantation.
If a traditional bridge is being used, adjacent teeth must be prepared. This involves removing some of the enamel to allow room for the crown to be placed over them. Some patients require local anesthesia during this step.
Second Step:
Impressions of the teeth are made. The impressions are molds that help fabricate the bridge and pontics so that they fit your mouth properly.
These will be sent to a laboratory so a bridge, a false tooth or pontic, and crowns can be created to fit the unique configuration of the patient’s mouth. During the 2 to 3 weeks while the bridge is being manufactured, the patient will be given a temporary dental bridge to protect the exposed teeth and gums. Temporary bridges are usually made out of acrylic. They are not as durable as your permanent bridge, so you need to be careful when eating.
Third Step:
During the next dental visit, the temporary bridge will be removed and replaced with the new, permanent bridge. The doctor will make sure the bridge fits properly and cement it to the teeth.
Bridge (Impression)
What is the Recovery from a Dental Bridge Procedure?
Replacing missing teeth should make eating easier, but until they get used to the bridge, patients are advised to eat soft food cut into small pieces. For a few weeks after receiving a bridge, it is common to experience increased sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Patients will also notice a difference in their speech which will become clearer with the permanent bridge in place.
Results you can expect from dental bridges
With good oral hygiene, a dental bridge will last from 5 to 15 years, sometimes longer. Patients must remember to practice proper care of their teeth and gums to prevent the build-up of bacteria and formation of plaque. Regular dental visits and cleanings will still be required to maintain oral health. With a knowledgeable dentist and good oral health practices, a healthy smile can be both restored and maintained.
What People Say About Us!
Everyone at Dr. Bankhardt’s office is fantastic!
“They are super knowledgeable, understand, patient and kind. I would never go anywhere else or trust anyone else with my teeth.” Nicki C
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Schedule A Consultation in Simi Valley, CA
Dr. Robert Bankhardt and Dr. Casey Patterson in Simi Valley, CA provide patients with comprehensive dental bridge services. Call (805) 584-1194 or fill out a Contact Form here for any questions or to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve Simi Valley and surrounding areas, including Chatsworth, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Northridge.
