How porcelain bridges transform your smile, restore your confidence
If gaps have marred your smile, or if you are holding on to painful teeth that need to be extracted, Dr. Dan Hwang of Creo Dentistry in Marysville, Washington can restore your complete, confident smile. He can also get you out of pain quickly, and can promptly replace any teeth that cannot be preserved with root canal therapy or other methods. One of the ways that he rebuilds teeth, transforms smiles and restores confidence is with a time-tested procedure and technique: porcelain bridges.
As with other types of dental restorations, bridges may be made from a variety of different metals, metal and ceramic, and all-ceramic or porcelain materials. Porcelain is one of the most coveted materials in dental (and artistic) circles. It is lauded for its natural beauty and ability to “mimic” the appearance of natural tooth enamel and structure. While it may be thought of as a fragile material, porcelain is actually quite strong. So, porcelain restorations and tooth replacement like bridges are long-lasting, highly durable, and retain their strength as long as they are cared for properly with good hygiene at home and professional dental care.
The process of creating smiles that shine
There are many different bridge designs. However, most “standard” bridges are made with dental crowns and at least one replacement tooth called a “pontic.” The crowns are placed on the teeth nearest to the gap and, eventually, to the pontic. These crowned teeth are known as “abutments.” They support or hold up the pontic. The bridge itself is made up of the crowns and the pontic(s). Once the crowns are cemented to the prepared abutment teeth, the pontic in the middle “fill in” the gap. In turn, the pontic bridges the gap and replaces the missing tooth. The new tooth gets its lasting support from the crowned abutments.
Dental bridges can generally be cared for like natural teeth with a notable exception; cleaning underneath the bridge can be tricky at first. We will show you how to use a floss threader or interdental brushes to effectively remove food debris and bacteria from the bridge. With proper care, bridges can last for years. During routine appointments, we can check that your bridge and any other dental restorations remain in excellent shape. Crowns and bridges that are badly fractured or chipped cannot be merely patched up or have the cracked portion covered up. The entire bridge may need to be replaced. Plus, some repaired bridges may be weakened and more vulnerable to future damage. There are other systems that we may recommend. Instead of being supported by other teeth, bridges may be supported by dental implants placed in the jawbone. This design does not require the removal of natural tooth structure. Abutments generally must be reduced. So, the crowns fit on top of the teeth properly. Let’s find out what options are best for you! Call Creo Dentistry today at (360) 502-7217 to schedule your appointment at our Marysville, WA office.
Bridges
