Creating and maintaining healthy smiles in Pearl City & Pearl Harbor
When teeth are missing a series of changes that can impact your overall dental health and jaw function may be initiated. The adjacent teeth may start to drift or tilt into the space, and teeth in the opposing jaw may start to shift toward the area of the missing tooth. It is therefore important to replace the single tooth or multiple teeth that have been lost. One of the best options to prevent the consequences of shifting teeth and to restore full function to a small edentulous section in the mouth is a dental bridge.
A dental bridge replaces the missing teeth with artificial teeth called “pontics,” and is supported on the ends by prepared natural teeth. Once fabricated and fitted a dental bridge will be permanently “fixed,” or cemented into place. Like crowns, bridges can be made of either porcelain baked on to a metal substrate or many of the new ceramic materials that have been developed.
The procedure begins with a local anesthetic to numb one area of the mouth. We then shape and file down the surrounding teeth. This will help to make room for the new fixed bridge. Impressions are then taken and will be used to create both a temporary and permanent bridge. You’ll go home with the temporary one in place and will need to come back for a second appointment for the permanent. The temporary bridge is removed and the permanent one placed securely using a dental-grade adhesive. We polish and adjust the new bridge and provide you with instructions on how to brush and floss around it.
Creating & maintaining healthy smiles in Pearl City & Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
