Austin Dental Bridges
Why Would You Need a Dental Bridge?
Our teeth undergo a lot of stress throughout our lifetimes. They serve so many purposes, from chewing our food to helping us speak and express ourselves. Over time, it is common for teeth to become so damaged that they need to be removed. A dental bridge is a set of prosthetic teeth that replaces one to three missing teeth in a row. They are called dental bridges because they are literally designed to bridge the gap between missing teeth and your natural teeth.
If the missing teeth are severely decayed or broken to the point where they would not be able to hold a dental crown, a dental bridge might be necessary, and they are quite a popular option. The best candidates for this restorative treatment are patients who have one, two, or three teeth missing in a row. However, if the missing teeth are not located right in a row and are located throughout the mouth, one of our other treatments like partial dentures might be a better fit. A dental bridge will restore the appearance of your smile by replacing the missing tooth with a tooth that looks like your original one.
Some of the benefits of dental bridges include:
- Boosting your confidence
- Restoring the appearance of the smile
- Restoring the ability to speak clearly
- Even distribution of chewing force
- Preventing the surrounding teeth from moving out of place
- Maintaining the shape and integrity of the facial structure
- Enabling you to eat a wider variety of foods with ease
- Lasting 10+ years if cared for properly
How Does a Dental Bridge Feel?
When patients receive a dental bridge, many times, they are worried that it will feel uncomfortable or that it will not fit the way their natural teeth did. However, this is not the case. A dental bridge should feel as comfortable and real as your natural teeth. In fact, many patients say that their bridges are more comfortable than their natural teeth were. This is especially true for patients who had large fillings or restorations. Not only will your bridges look and feel natural, but they will also function the way your natural teeth did. Another similarity between dental crowns and natural teeth is the maintenance process. Retaining the look and function of your dental bridge involves a few simple steps.
To take care of your dental bridges, we recommend the following steps:
- Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber
- Brushing twice daily
- Flossing at least once daily under the false tooth and between the natural teeth
- Visiting us for your regular dental checkups so we can stay updated on the state of your dental bridge and perform necessary cleanings
How Are Dental Bridges Attached?
Each dental bridge is custom-made to blend in with the rest of your teeth. To receive one of these handy dental solutions, you will usually have to come to the dentist multiple times. Our warm and friendly dental team will make sure these visits feel like catching up with people who truly care about you rather than checking another errand off your to-do list. The first step we will take is to determine whether or not dental bridges are right for you. If we decide that this is the best way to bridge the gap between your teeth, we will begin by preparing your abutment teeth, which are the teeth that support the bridge. Usually, this involves shaving the outermost layer of enamel from the abutment teeth to make sure there is enough room in the mouth for the restoration to form a bond. The next step is to take impressions of the mouth and create a mold that is used to design the bridge. In the meantime, we often create a temporary bridge to protect the teeth and gums while the lab is making the bridge from the mold. After a short period of time, you will return to our office in Austin and we will replace the temporary bridge with a permanent restoration, so you can enjoy the benefits of a fully functional smile for many years to come.
To learn how we can help bridge the gap between your missing teeth, call us at (512) 213-6778 or reach us through the contact box below.
