Dental Bridges in Devon
Filling the Holes in Your Smile
Missing teeth impairs more than just eating. The shape of your face, your speech and your smile can be altered if a gap is left for too long. It can also cause other teeth to drift out of position, which could lead to cavities, chronic gum disease, chewing inefficiencies and poor nutrition. If you or a family member are missing a tooth, whether it was extracted or knocked out, we can fill the space. Dental bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth fused between two crowns or natural teeth, and they are one of several great options available to dentists today to repair holes in your smile.
Types of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is either cemented to your natural teeth or crowns surrounding the space where a missing tooth once was. The teeth on either side of the gap are referred to as abutment teeth. Dentists have several options when considering bridges, depending on the location and state of the patient’s abutment teeth, they can use one of the following types of bridges: traditional, implant, or bonded.
- Traditional bridges are utilized when there are two strong abutment teeth on either side of the gap.
- If your abutment teeth are weak or damaged, or the gap is too large, the dentist will first use dental implants to create an abutment and then secure a bridge to the implants.
- A bonded bridge is primarily used for front teeth where we cement the bridge to the abutments resulting in the bridge being nearly invisible.
Dental Bridges can be built with a number of materials, including porcelain, non-precious alloys like silver, or gold. We can recommend which material is right for you based on your diagnosis and preference.
How Do Dental Bridges Work?
Building Dental Bridges
Once you and the dentist have determined a bridge is the best way to address a gap in your mouth, we take an impression of the gap, the abutments and the surrounding area. Using those impressions, we discuss with you the options for the kind of bridge we believe you need and then begin by either shaping the existing abutments or installing implants if needed. Often we can fit you with a temporary bridge while your permanent bridge is being created. When your permanent bridge is ready we’ll have you come back to ensure a perfect fit and any adjustments before we cement it into place.
Maintaining Dental Bridges
Just like your natural teeth, bridges are permanent and should be brushed and flossed every day. We’ll teach you how to care for your bridge so you can keep eating, speaking, smiling and looking your best for years to come. Dental bridges last an average of ten years but with good oral care and regular check-ups your bridge can last a lot longer. All dental services performed by a general dentist.
Book An Appointment Today!
We Are Always Accepting New Patients At Devon Dental Centre.