Missing teeth can impact not only your smile but also your chewing ability and even your self-confidence. Fortunately, dental bridges in North York are a great way to restore your smile and better your oral health. A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration made for the purpose of replacing one or more missing teeth. A dentist will recommend dental bridges for patients looking for a natural-looking and longer-lasting solution.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge literally “bridges” the gap brought about by missing teeth; it is a dental appliance that is secured to the supporting structures of the abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. It consists of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap (the abutment teeth) and a false tooth in between, referred to as a pontic. The pontic fills the empty space and will look like a real tooth. Bridges can be made of various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, and metals.
Why You May Need a Dental Bridge
Missing teeth can cause functional problems or more than aesthetic problems; they can cause you issues with chewing, speech, and the alignment of the remaining teeth in your mouth. The dentist may recommend a dental bridge if you have:
- One or more missing teeth.
- Healthy teeth on each side of the gap.
- Good oral hygiene and healthy gums.
- Want to restore your smile or functions?
Replacing missing teeth is vital for your oral health. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth may shift, creating a bite problem and also a cleaning problem where the teeth affected may decay or be prone to gum disease.
How Dental Bridges Work
Typically, getting a dental bridge takes two or more visits to your dentist:
- Examination and Planning – Your dentist will examine your teeth and take X-rays to get a view of the surrounding tooth and gums.
- Tooth Preparation – The abutment teeth on each side of the gap will be reshaped to hold crowns.
- Impression and Design – An impression of your teeth is made to fit a custom bridge.
- Temporary Bridge – A temporary bridge will be placed to protect your teeth while the permanent bridge is being made.
- Permanent Bridge Placement – When the permanent dental bridge is complete, it is cemented in place.
The final outcome of the process is a stable and natural-looking restoration that will allow you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge provides many advantages for patients looking for missing teeth replacement. North York:
- Restore Your Smile- Bridges fill the gaps so that you can have a natural-looking smile.
- Better Chewing and Speaking- Missing teeth can make chewing tough foods or speaking clearly difficult. Bridges fix this.
- Stop Teeth from Shifting- Bridges fill the gap and help stop surrounding teeth from shifting.
- Support Facial Shape- Missing teeth can make your face appear sunken. A bridge helps support your facial structure.
- Durability- Bridges can last many years with good care making them an excellent option for tooth replacement.
Cosmetic Dental Bridges
Many of our patients are primarily interested in cosmetic dental bridges in North York. Cosmetic bridges are made from porcelain that mimics the colour and shape of your natural teeth. Cosmetic dental bridges provide function and aesthetics to your smile, helping you feel more confident.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
Good care of your dental bridge is important to the longevity of your bridge, and here are a few tips:
- Brush your teeth a minimum of two times a day using fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss around your bridge daily to remove food particles and plaque.
- Avoid hard foods that may break your bridge.
- See your dentist regularly for check-ups or cleaning.
- If you follow good oral hygiene habits, your bridge can last many years!
Choosing a Dentist for Your Dental Bridge
A dentist experienced in cosmetic dental bridges and missing teeth replacement should be looked for when trying to find a dentist to do your dental bridge. This ensures that an experienced dentist will do the best.
Say Goodbye to Gaps with Bridges!
At Dentistry on Bayview, we help patients restore missing teeth with dental bridges. Our dentist near you are experienced and offer safe, comfortable, and natural tooth replacement solutions. Whether you require cosmetic dental bridges or a bridge to simply chew and speak better, we tailor each treatment to fit your specific needs.
Contact us today and start your way to smiling confidently!