Dental Bridges: The Path to a Healthier, More Attractive Smile
- By:David Berry
When you have missing teeth, you immediately feel the stigma of it. You may feel ashamed or frustrated at the way your smile looks. It used to be that the only thing that you could do when you had missing teeth was to have the rest of your teeth pulled, or to wait until they fell out, and then get a full set of false teeth, or dentures. Now, however, there are other options available to you, including dental bridges.
Dental bridges replace missing teeth in the mouth. There are a few different types of bridges, including fixed dental bridges, resin-bonded bridges, and what is known as cantilever bridges. Each type has their pros and cons and it is up to you and your cosmetic dentist to figure out which type of bridge would work best for your situation.
When you go to a cosmetic dentist to have a dental bridge put in, the first step is for the dentist to examine your gums and teeth to determine their health and to see if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. If you are found to be, you will be given a local anesthetic so that the dentist can fix the teeth around the space so that they are strong enough to hold the bridges.
The dentist then makes an impression of your teeth, which will be used to fabricate your new dental bridge. A temporary bridge will be placed in your mouth until the new bridge is ready to be put in. Once the new bridge has been completed, you go back to the cosmetic dentist’s office and have the bridge fitted and then cemented into your mouth.
Dental bridges can help people who have a few missing teeth get their smile back to normal again, and can help them have better self-esteem at the same time. If you are interested in getting a bridge, a visit to your cosmetic dentist will help you figure out if you are a good candidate for this procedure or if there is a different type of procedure that would be better suited for your situation.
About the author:
An experienced cosmetic dentist can determine the best treatments to improve your smile, from dental bridges and dental implants to teeth whitening and orthodontics.