Dr. Jee Lee and Dr. Yong Kim may recommend dental crowns and bridges to help you regain a healthy, beautiful and fully functional smile. These restorative treatments are great options for restoring damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth so you can once again smile, speak and eat with confidence.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are a trusted solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth, called pontics, which fill the gap left by missing teeth. These pontics are anchored securely in place by crowns attached to the natural teeth on either side of the gap, or in some cases, dental implants. Bridges restore not only the appearance of your smile but also the functionality of your bite, making it easier to chew and speak properly.
At our practice, we customize dental bridges to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth in both color and shape, ensuring an attractive and natural-looking result. The process begins with preparing the adjacent teeth, which will support the bridge. Impressions are taken to design a bridge that fits your mouth perfectly. Once your bridge is ready, it is cemented into place, offering a strong and stable replacement for your missing teeth.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer numerous benefits, making them an excellent option for replacing missing teeth and maintaining overall oral health. One of the most significant advantages is that they restore the functionality of your bite. Missing teeth can make chewing and speaking difficult, but a well-designed bridge allows you to eat your favorite foods with ease and speak clearly, improving your overall quality of life.
Another key benefit is that dental bridges help prevent the shifting of adjacent teeth. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth may gradually drift into the empty space, leading to misalignment and bite issues. By filling the gap with a bridge, you maintain the proper positioning of your teeth, preventing complications such as uneven wear and increased risk of tooth decay.
In addition to their functional advantages, dental bridges also enhance your smile’s appearance. The artificial teeth, or pontics, are customized to match the color and shape of your surrounding teeth, ensuring a natural and aesthetically pleasing result. This can boost your self-confidence, especially when the missing teeth are in a visible area of your smile.
Bridges also help to maintain the shape of your face. When teeth are missing for an extended period, the jawbone can deteriorate, and the facial structure may appear sunken or aged. A dental bridge provides the support needed to keep your facial muscles and structure intact, preserving a youthful appearance.
Overall, dental bridges offer a long-lasting solution to tooth loss. With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups, they can last for many years, providing durable and reliable tooth replacement.
Schedule Your Consultation
To learn more about dental bridges and how they can restore your smile, schedule a consultation with our office today. We are here to help you regain your confidence and oral health!
FAQ
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of artificial teeth, known as pontics, which are anchored to the adjacent teeth or dental implants for support. This restoration not only fills the gap created by missing teeth but also restores function and appearance, helping you maintain a complete, natural-looking smile.
How do dental bridges improve my bite?
Dental bridges play a crucial role in restoring your bite by filling in the space left by missing teeth. This allows you to chew food more effectively and speak clearly, functions that can become compromised when teeth are missing. By distributing the chewing forces evenly across the teeth, a bridge helps maintain proper function and prevents overloading the remaining teeth.
Can a dental bridge prevent teeth from shifting?
Yes, one of the key benefits of a dental bridge is its ability to prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the space left by a missing tooth. When there is a gap, adjacent teeth can move out of alignment, leading to bite problems, uneven wear and even difficulty cleaning between teeth. A bridge helps maintain the correct positioning of your teeth, preserving both function and aesthetics.
Will a dental bridge look natural?
Absolutely. Dental bridges are designed to match the color, shape and size of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless fit within your smile. Our dentists will carefully customize the bridge to blend in with your surrounding teeth, making it virtually indistinguishable from your real teeth. This ensures that your smile remains natural and aesthetically pleasing.