Dentist in Mill Creek Shares how Dental Bridges Protect the Structure of Your Smile
At Caring Family Dentistry, our dentist in Mill Creek WA is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy and complete smile. If you’re missing a tooth or several teeth, a dental bridge may be the ideal solution to fill the gap, restore your bite, and preserve your dental structure. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth (or teeth) that uses the neighboring teeth as anchors, keeping the surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space. This not only restores your appearance but also prevents changes in your bite that could lead to discomfort or other dental issues.
Understanding Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. They can protect your mouth from the harmful effects of tooth loss, such as bone loss and alignment issues. By placing a bridge, our dentist in Mill Creek WA helps ensure your teeth stay properly aligned, which supports the long-term health of your entire mouth. The bridge usually consists of a false tooth, known as a pontic, which is fused between crowns placed on the surrounding teeth. These crowns serve as anchors to hold the bridge in place securely.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are several types of dental bridges, and each one is tailored to meet different needs:
1. Traditional Fixed Bridge – This is the most common type of bridge and is particularly sturdy. In this approach, the pontic is held by porcelain crowns placed on the two surrounding teeth. These crowns anchor the bridge, keeping it stable while you chew, speak, and smile confidently. Traditional bridges are typically made of porcelain fused to metal or all-ceramic materials, giving them a natural appearance.
2. Cantilever Bridge – A cantilever bridge is useful when there’s only one tooth adjacent to the gap. This type of bridge is ideal for areas with less chewing force, like the front teeth, as it relies on a single anchor tooth.
3. Resin-Bonded Bridge – This bridge style is often used to replace missing front teeth. It features metal bands bonded to the backs of the surrounding teeth using a special resin, supporting a lightweight plastic tooth in between. Since it requires less structural change to the natural teeth, it’s a minimally invasive option suited for areas of the mouth under less stress.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
The process of getting a dental bridge generally takes two appointments. At your first visit, our dentist in Mill Creek WA will prepare your teeth for the bridge by filing down the anchor teeth to fit crowns over them. Once your teeth are prepared, we’ll take an impression of your teeth, which is sent to a lab where your custom bridge and crowns are crafted to match your natural smile. Before you leave, we’ll fit you with a temporary bridge to protect the area until your permanent bridge is ready.
On your second visit, we’ll remove the temporary bridge and place your permanent bridge. Our dentist in Mill Creek WA will adjust the bridge to ensure a comfortable fit, and you may need a follow-up visit or two to check the alignment and make sure everything is functioning well. After the bridge is placed, it’s important to care for it just like natural teeth, with regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups.
If you’re ready to restore the look and function of your smile, our dentist in Mill Creek WA at Caring Family Dentistry is here to help you explore your options with dental bridges. Reach out today to schedule your consultation!
