Looking for a Solution to Missing Teeth? Consider Dental Bridges
If you have missing teeth, it can affect your smile and your ability to chew and speak. At Northwood Dental, Dr. Brian Klym and his team offer high-quality dental bridges that are custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. This dental restoration is a great way to restore your confidence and oral health.
Discover why our restorative dentist in Petoskey and Traverse City, MI, is trusted by patients in Mount Pleasant, Midland, and Cadillac.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are custom-made restorations that replace one or more missing teeth. They’re usually composed of two or more dental crowns that anchor onto the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth or teeth in the middle. The false tooth is typically porcelain or ceramic. Our cosmetic dentist can match the color and shape of your natural teeth.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer many benefits, including:
- Restores Smile’s Appearance: Bridges can help improve your smile’s appearance, making you feel more confident in your everyday life.
- Improves Oral Health: Dental bridges help prevent the remaining teeth from shifting or tilting, leading to further dental issues.
- Restores Smile Functionality: Bridges help distribute your bite’s force evenly, making it easier to chew and speak.
- Boosts your Self-Esteem: Having a complete smile can help boost your self-esteem, leading to more positive interactions with others.
Who Needs Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges may be an excellent solution for patients missing one or several adjacent teeth. Gaps in your smile can cause the remaining teeth to shift or tilt, leading to further dental issues. By filling the gaps, dental bridges not only improves your smile’s appearance but also restore your mouth’s function. Bridges can help distribute your bite’s force, making it easier to chew and speak.
The Dental Bridge Process
Depending on your needs, the dental bridge process typically involves two or more appointments at our Petoskey or Traverse City, MI. During your first appointment, Dr. Klym will examine your teeth and gums and take X-rays to assess the health of your mouth.
Once you’ve been deemed a good candidate for dental bridges, Dr. Klym will begin the process by administering a local anesthetic and your choice of dental sedation. He’ll then prepare the abutment teeth. This involves removing a small portion of the enamel to make room for the dental crowns to support the bridge. Once the teeth have been prepared, Dr. Klym will take impressions of your mouth to use as blueprints to create your custom-made bridge.
While your bridge is being created in a dental lab, Dr. Klym will provide you with a temporary bridge to wear. Once your permanent bridge is ready, you’ll return to Northwood Dental for your final appointment, where Dr. Klym will check the fit of the bridge and make any necessary adjustments. Once the bridge fits properly, Dr. Klym will permanently cement the bridge in place so you can smile with confidence.
Caring for Your Dental Bridges
Caring for your dental bridges is essential to ensure their longevity. You should continue to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Dr. Klym may recommend a special floss or brush to help you clean around the bridge. You should also avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods that can damage the bridge.
