Do you have one or more missing teeth? Missing teeth can impact your ability to speak and eat comfortably. Over time, tooth loss leads to changes in the bite and can destabilize other teeth. Reliance Dental is your local dental clinic in Edmonton that provides complete care for your tooth replacement needs. Restorative dentistry plays a key role in replacing missing teeth and restoring the function and aesthetics of your smile. Our team offers experienced care for replacing a single lost tooth or several consecutive teeth with a dental bridge.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. It consists of one or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, anchored in place by dental crowns on the adjacent natural teeth, referred to as abutments.
Placing A Dental Bridge: How It Works
The placement of your new bridge will involve a few office visits. The end result will be a renewed, fully functional smile that gives you back the ability to enjoy life fully. Reliance Dental offers traditional bridges and implant-supported bridges to suit your unique needs and goals. Our team will work with you to fully evaluate the condition of your smile and recommend the most suitable option so that you can enjoy a successful and lasting outcome.
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Assessment and Planning: The process begins with a consultation, where our team will evaluate your dental health, discuss your options, and create a personalized treatment plan.
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Preparation of Abutment Teeth: To secure a traditional bridge, the adjacent teeth (abutments) need to be prepared. This involves reshaping them by removing a portion of enamel to allow for the placement of crowns.
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Impressions: After the abutment teeth are prepared, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom bridge that fits perfectly.
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Temporary Bridge: While waiting for the permanent bridge to be fabricated, a temporary bridge may be placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain aesthetics.
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Placement of the Permanent Bridge: Once the permanent bridge is ready, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge and fit the new one. Adjustments are made for comfort and function before it is securely bonded in place.
Implant Supported Bridge
The use of dental implants is often recommended when there is a single missing tooth. A single tooth implant means that adjacent healthy teeth do not need to be compromised to place crowns or to support the bridge. Dental implants can also support a dental bridge when several consecutive teeth are being replaced, much like a partial denture.
If implants are being placed for your bridge, we will place the posts into your jaw and allow them to heal before placing the bridge. Once this is healed, your permanent bridge or partial denture will be secured.
Benefits of a Dental Bridge
Dental bridges restore the appearance of your smile, improve chewing function, and help maintain the alignment of remaining teeth by preventing them from shifting. They can also enhance your ability to speak clearly and support the overall structure of your jaw.
A dental bridge can be a long-lasting solution, typically requiring replacement every 5 to 15 years, depending on oral hygiene and maintenance.