When you have lost a single tooth, or in some cases up to three in a row, then you need a prosthetic to prevent major problems for your smile. A dental prosthetic fills the gap and safeguards your smile against major complications. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about our traditional and implant-supported bridges.
Traditional Bridges
A traditional bridge can help address between one and three missing teeth in a row, offering a prosthetic that looks great and blends with your smile. To get started, our team will administer a numbing agent to ensure you’re comfortable as we gently remove structure from the teeth on each side of the gap in your smile, known as abutment teeth. We then employ digital imaging technology to take pictures from multiple angles, and use them to create a 3D computer impression. In a dental lab, the impressions will be used to design and craft the finished product. The prosthetic will contain one or more pontics, or replacement teeth, with dental crowns attached to each end. The crowns are then attached to the abutment teeth. Your bridge is secured in place and could last as long as 10 to 15 years in average.
Dental Implant Options
We could also discuss the use of dental implants to provide an option that lasts far longer. We don’t need to remove structure from abutment teeth, instead one to two dental implants will be surgically inserted into the jaw. The position and angle ensure they can support a prosthetic, and they body accepts them as natural roots, which preserves the jaw ridge shape and allows the prosthetic to stay in place for decades to come. As with the traditional option, the bridge itself will be made from lifelike ceramic and shaded to blend with your smile. We attach the crowns to the dental implants to secure them firmly in place.
The Benefits for Your Smile
Filling the gap in your smile means you can feel confident when you smile. You can also eat your favorite food without difficulty, and this prevents the onset of misalignment as teeth can no longer shift from position. Your smile remains balanced and there is no excess strain on the jaw joints, so you’re now less likely to develop issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). If you have any questions about replacing missing teeth with a bridge, then contact our team today.
Have You Lost a Natural Tooth?
Our team is ready to help prevent problems for your smile with prosthetic dentistry. If you would like to learn more about addressing the gap in your smile with a lifelike replacement option, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
