A healthy smile loses its glow when a tooth goes missing from the oral cavity. A number of problems spring up from tooth loss. Restorative dental care offers a functional replacement to lost teeth and avoids most of the dental problems. Teeth restorations have worked wonderfully in people for many decades now. A number of types of restorations are available on the market today. The choice of a particular restoration depends on the need of the patient and affordability. Dental bridges have been quite popular among the teeth restorations. They finally bridge the gap in the dentition caused by missing teeth and contribute positively to oral health. Our dental practice has been committed to the oral health of our valuable patients. Our dental bridges in Colton, CA continue to work wonderfully in many patients who relied on us for their oral care. If you have missing tooth/teeth, call our office and make an appointment with our dentist.

Teeth loss and oral health

A number of problems can arise when teeth are lost. The ability to bite and chew food reduces because of the gap caused by missing teeth. This can hinder the confidence of the person. Teeth loss creates an imbalance in the dentition causing the teeth nearby to shift positions. There can be increased food lodgment in the gap created by missing teeth. With improper oral care, there are higher chances of gum infection and tooth decay. There can be a change in nutritional intake because of lower chewing efficiency as a result of teeth loss.

Dental bridges – Treatment process

Dental bridges generally have two or more false teeth that are fixed to anchoring crowns. The false teeth replace the lost teeth. Dentists can fix the dental bridge over dental implants or natural teeth. The natural teeth, which are chosen as support for the dental bridge, require preparation before fixing the restoration. During this process, some portion of natural teeth is removed to make space for the crown. This is done with the aid of a local numbing agent. Once the teeth are prepared, the dentist takes impressions of the dentition and makes the temporary bridge at the office. The permanent bridge is fabricated in the lab.

During the second phase, the dentist removes temporary bridge and cleanse the area thoroughly. The permanent bridge is bonded over natural teeth using appropriate materials. The dentist makes sure to inform patients about proper oral care. Maintenance of good oral hygiene is very essential when living with dental bridges. The bridges can last for 10-15 years if proper care is taken.