Dental Bridges In Naperville

The team at Sherman Oaks Dental in Naperville is glad to work with patients to find the solutions they need to protect and care for their own natural teeth. Yet, when accidents and injuries happen and a tooth is severely damaged or even entirely lost, we will work to find the most cosmetically and practically suitable replacements for your situation.

In many cases, Dr. Weyneth will recommend the use of a dental bridge, which can either replace missing teeth or restore the full bite and look of a tooth that has been heavily damaged. Here’s what you need to know about dental bridges and why they are worth considering.

What Are Dental Bridges?

As the name suggests, dental bridges are used to bridge the missing parts of your smile. Essentially, they are artificial teeth that are created to resemble your natural teeth. They are held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. There are four types of dental bridges that are typically used:

• Traditional These dental bridges are comprised of a false tooth (or multiple teeth) that are held in place by dental crowns on either side of the gap. These crowns are cemented to the surrounding teeth, making traditional dental bridges the most common choice if you have a missing tooth (or teeth) surrounded by healthy natural teeth.
• Cantilever These dental bridges are supported by dental crowns, just like traditional bridges. However, they are only supported by crowns attached to one natural tooth, as opposed to being supported on each side, so you only need one natural tooth to fit them.
• Maryland These dental bridges are supported by two abutment teeth, just like a traditional bridge. Rather than using crowns that are cemented on top of natural teeth, however, these bridges use a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of the supporting teeth.
• Implant-supported For these bridges, implants are inserted into the jawbone where the missing or damaged tooth once was. Implant-supported bridges take longer to install, requiring two surgeries, but are the strongest and most stable types available.

Dental Bridges Can Either Replace Missing Teeth Or Restore The Full Bite And Look Of A Tooth That Has Been Heavily Damaged.

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Why Consider Getting A Dental Bridge?

Whether or not you want to fit a dental bridge, and which type you want, is in part down to your choice, as well as what the dentist thinks will reliably secure the bridge in place. To help you decide, it’s worth knowing some of the health and other benefits that this treatment can provide:

• Missing teeth can become a risk to the straightness and positioning of your remaining natural teeth. Bridges can ensure your teeth don’t drift out of place, which can leave them susceptible to serious concerns like periodontal disease.
• Being able to chew and operate with a full head of teeth protects the integrity of your natural teeth, by ensuring they are not subjected to more pressure than they normally would.
• If a missing or damaged tooth has compromised your ability to speak or chew, then a bridge can reverse the effect.
• The cosmetic improvement of restoring your smile, refilling a gap or hiding the damage of an accident or injury, helping you regain confidence in the aesthetics of your teeth.

The Process of Having A Dental Bridge Fitted

Before your first appointment, a consultation with Dr. Weyneth will be held to inspect your existing teeth, to make sure that both teeth and gums are healthy enough to support the crowns and bridge itself. Following this, the abutment teeth will be prepared by removing some of the enamel on the teeth so that they have room to fit a crown on top. Impressions of these teeth are made, serving as the model that that dentist will use to make the bridge, pontic (replacement tooth) and crowns. During the wait for your second appointment, you will be provided with a temporary bridge that will restore your smile as well as protecting the exposed teeth and gums.

After some weeks, Dr. Weyneth will have made the final pontic, bridge, and crowns. First, the temporary bridge will be removed, and the underlying teeth may be cleaned if necessary. Then, the permanent bridge will be fitted, checked, and adjusted to ensure that it is comfortable and provides a healthy bite. In some cases, temporary cement may be used to hold it in place so you can see how it feels. If it needs to be adjusted, this can be done in a follow-up appointment.

The process for an implant bridge is somewhat different. During an initial appointment, the remaining tooth, if any does remain, will be removed. An incision will be made into the gum and hole drilled into the jawbone before the implant is inserted into the jawbone. Some weeks are given for the bone and implant to fuse. A second appointment is arranged to expose the implant, as the gums will have healed over it and a healing cap is put on it to ensure that the gums do not heal over it again. Once the healing is complete, the bridge is fit on top of the implant post.

After The Procedure

Dr. Weyneth will provide detailed instructions on how to ensure the best aftercare possible so that you know how to take care of your new dental bridge. This will include tips of regular oral hygiene and when to seek further care if your bridge is not comfortable or stable enough.

Initially, there may be some discomfort as you get used to the feeling of the dental bridge. It may feel odd to eat or speak with it for a few days, but this feeling will soon subside. Providing that you ensure the proper care of the bridge with good oral hygiene and routine checkups, dental bridges can last up to fifteen years, if not longer.

Is A Dental Bridge The Right Choice For You?

If you have experienced tooth loss or severe damage and find that it’s impacting your confidence as well as the practical use of your teeth, a dental bridge may be the perfect solution. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Sherman Oaks and schedule an appointment today. We will be glad to arrange an appointment with Dr. Weyneth and find the proper dental bridge you need to restore your smile.