Fill Gaps in Your Smile & Regain Full Functionality

A dental bridge’s purpose is to fill a gap between two teeth, and the idea is very similar to the bridges you see in everyday life. With fixed tooth restoration, your jaw health and ability to speak and chew normally can be restored. If you would like more information on how they can help you, our oral experts are here to provide that information and help you bring that beautiful and healthy smile back.

Call Newport Smiles at (949) 646-0818 today to speak to our dentists about dental bridges in Newport Beach.

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

If you have one or more missing teeth, dental bridges may be a good option for you. If you have missing molars due to tooth decay or prolonged gum disease, you can replace them with artificial ones to help fill in that gap. It can be a fixed structure that is attached permanently such as implants or crowns. This false tooth is called a pontic while the supporting ones are called abutment teeth. Now if you have a fixed dental restoration placed on your rear teeth, the main benefit is to help you in chewing as the weight is equally distributed to it plus the nearby tooth. If placed in the front, then it addresses problems with pronouncing words and making sounds.

Though every procedure is unique, you can expect the process to follow this outline:

Healing and Recovery: Since fixed dental restorations are put in places where there is a gap, it is normally placed after an extraction is done. If this is the case, then the gums need to completely heal prior to doing the procedure.
Anesthesia: In the event that extractions happen and the gum is already healed, the first process then will be desensitization of the abutment tooth or those that are nearby where the pontic will be placed or the artificial tooth.
Trimming: Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the abutment teeth will then be trimmed in preparation for having the crowns.
Impression: Once the trimming is done, both the abutment teeth together with the gum space will then be ready for impression. For our clinic, it will be taken by Dr. Shah, and will then be sent to the lab for production. Instructions regarding the materials and color of the prosthetic will then be given to the lab for their reference.
Temporary fixture: While the permanent fixture is being completed, a temporary one will be provided by the clinic. This is especially important since enamel was trimmed off of your teeth, leaving them weak and sensitive.
Construction: Construction of the permanent fixture will then be based on the impression that was sent by the dentist to the laboratory. Now take note that this will take a few weeks before it can be finalized.
Fitting: Once the permanent bridge is created, it will be fitted. Once you and your dentist confirm that it fits properly and comfortably, it will be cemented permanently. If there are few problems during the fitting, then minor adjustments can certainly be made.
Check-Up Visit: After the bridge has been placed, the dentist will require that you do a follow-up visit after a few months just to see if there are changes with the fit or if there is any discomfort. Same as during the fitting, if there are minor problems then adjustments can be made.

The Procedure for an Implant-Supported Bridge

Now there are permanent bridges that are done through the process of implants. If this the path that you would like to take, then you just needed to know that the process is a bit complex First the dentist will need to check if your jawbone is healthy enough to handle the implants. If not then another procedure has to be done which is grafting. If grafting is done then your gum needs to recover first for about three to six weeks before the implant can be placed. Once implants have been placed, another period of recovery is needed until osseointegration process is completed.

There are several major forms of bridges:

Traditional: The traditional type can be made from different materials such as metal alloy or porcelain. What happens here is that a crown is created for the tooth or implant on either side of the gap and the false teeth are placed in between.
Implant-Supported: Implants are a very good option in terms of avoiding bone loss. Since implants are placed directly to the jaw which then promotes bone growth through the process of osseointegration, the bridges are now attached to these implants. Through osseointegration, the bone cells then merge into the surface of the metal which then acts as a natural tooth root.
Cantilever: When a permanent prosthetic is not possible, another option that can be done is the cantilever which is a type that is supported on two sides. Although it is another good option, it is important that both sides have a good and strong tooth where the support will be taken from.
Maryland: This type does not require the use of a crown for the supporting teeth. This is made of plastic teeth and the gums are supported on a metallic framework.

Top Tips For Care

No matter what type of procedure is applied, it is always important that it is cared for properly. Now since these are fixed, it is possible that there will be food particles that might get stuck in between them.

Your oral hygiene habits will need to go above and beyond the average to ensure you avoid issues like periodontal problems. These problems can result in pain around the prosthetic or even bone loss. Worst case scenario, it may even lead to clinical failure of the prostheses.

Following our care recommendations:

Brushing: Brush your mouth at least twice a day to ensure that bacterial and food debris are completed removed and it is always kept clean. If it goes to the point that brushing beneath the fake tooth becomes quite difficult then the use of an interdental toothbrush is recommended.
Flossing: Aside from brushing, flossing is also required to ensure that your teeth and your prosthetics are clean.
Mouthwash: After brushing and flossing, another step that is advisable to do is to use mouthwash every day as it helps in washing away food and bacterial debris inside your mouth.
Protect your teeth from grinding: If this is one of your habits then we will provide you with special night guards so that your teeth are well protected even while you are sleeping.

Call Us Today to Get Started

With all the benefits and advantages that come with getting our Newport Beach dental bridges, you may now be thinking about getting one for yourself. If you are then you can reach out to our dentists at our dental office in Orange County. We are sure that you will be given the best experience as well as your smile back should you opt for this procedure. Our office is located in Newport Beach near Huntington Beach as well as Costa Mesa. Make that decision today and we can assure you that it will be the best decision you will ever make in your life!

Video Transcript

A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.