When you lose one or more of your teeth, it is important to replace them as soon as possible to prevent damage to the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. A dental bridge is one option to replace your missing teeth so that you can eat, speak, and enjoy life as you did before your tooth loss.
Protecting Your Teeth
When you have lost a tooth, the surrounding ones become exposed and no longer have the support provided by the missing tooth and root. Your mouth is a complex system with parts that rely on one another to function and remain healthy. Your tooth roots stimulate gum health and growth, which in turn helps keep your teeth securely in place. When one of your teeth is missing, the portion of your gums and jaw where the tooth used to reside is exposed and vulnerable.
Replacing a missing tooth is often as simple as visiting the dentist. Traditionally, dental bridges were used to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is a false tooth supported on one or more sides by the remaining neighboring teeth. A dental bridge relies on the health of adjoining teeth for support, so it is important to place the bridge before your neighboring teeth have had a chance to shift or become damaged.
Creating Your Dental Bridge
Before your dental bridge can be created, Dr. Howard Perlmutter must first check the health of your surrounding teeth to be sure that they can support the dental bridge. After that, your teeth will be prepared by having a thin layer of the enamel removed so the bridge will be even with the rest of your teeth. Once the teeth are prepared, an impression will be taken from which the dental bridge will be made in one of our associated dental labs. In some cases, dental implant restorations may be used to support the bridge, instead of the remaining neighboring teeth.
When the dental bridge arrives from the lab, Dr. Perlmutter will check the fit before cementing the bridge to your supporting teeth with a strong dental adhesive. Unlike dentures, the dental bridge will be a permanent fixture in your mouth, and you will be able to brush and floss around it like your natural teeth.
For more information, please see Questions About Dental Bridges.
Please contact our Oradell cosmetic dentist today to schedule your appointment at Oradell Family Dental , serving patients in the Paramus, Haworth, Bergen County, Bergenfield, Oradell, and Dumont areas of New Jersey.
