Dental bridges are crafted from strong, durable porcelain and offer a natural-looking tooth replacement option. Bridges consist of an artificial tooth or teeth, attached to adjacent teeth by porcelain crowns. Dental bridges are permanently fixed in the mouth and restore the function and appearance of the missing natural teeth. Once placed, the dental bridge blends in well with surrounding teeth and allows you to chew and speak with confidence.We carefully customize dental bridges to ensure that they fit comfortably and securely. Bridges are typically placed in two office visits. During the first visit, the teeth on either side of the gap will be prepared for dental crowns, and an impression of the area will be made. You will wear a temporary bridge until your permanent bridge is ready to be placed. Once your bridge is ready, you will return for a second appointment to have the bridge bonded in place.
Porcelain bridges are custom-made devices that are anchored to neighboring teeth to replace one or more missing teeth. While a bridge has many cosmetic and aesthetic advantages, there are also significant medical benefits gained by replacing lost teeth. Without an even biting surface, you can experience pain while speaking or chewing. Exposed gum sockets are also perfect places for bacteria and infections to thrive.
One or more missing teeth can cause the surrounding teeth to become unstable and require removal. It can also make the teeth more difficult to clean, compromising oral health. Of course, missing teeth will almost certainly diminish the beauty of a smile. You deserve a beautiful smile. If missing teeth have affected your self-confidence, a bridge may be the perfect solution for you.
If you would like to learn more about dental bridges, please contact our Indianapolis practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tellman.
Although there are many reasons to replace missing teeth, the 3 most common reasons are:
- Migration: The teeth surrounding a vacant area in the mouth, including the teeth above or below, will eventually move into that open area. The position that these teeth move into is unnatural and in extreme cases, can cause problems leading to tooth loss.
- Function: Teeth in every part of the mouth are designed for particular functions. If there is an area that has missing teeth, that area cannot function properly. The result is for other teeth to assume the added work, which they were not designed or intended. This added work can create problems that might cause additional teeth to need treatment or extraction.
- Appearance: This is the most obvious reason patients think of. The state of the art techniques and materials we use result in a very natural look.
