Dental Bridges
Hillsboro, OR
When you lose a tooth, it's not outside the realm of possibility that you will lose more. Tooth loss can set in motion a chain reaction of oral issues that easily leads to further tooth loss and extreme tooth replacement expense. No one wants to have big dental bills or gaps in their smile! Fortunately, at Century Dental in Hillsboro, OR, we understand this issue and are more than happy to offer you a variety of tooth replacement options to fill the gaps in your smile. A dental bridge is a permanent tooth replacement option that is both dependable and cost effective.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a permanent dental prosthetic that is designed to replace anywhere from 1 to 4 consecutive teeth. They can be made of a variety of materials and are able to last many years.
Let's say that you are missing three teeth in a row. On both sides of those three teeth you have a healthy tooth. The two healthy teeth on either side of the gap will act as anchors that will support the fixture. The fixture will “bridge” the gap between the two healthy anchor teeth. We are also able to use dental implants if your mouth lacks one or both anchors.
Reasons for a Fixed Dental Bridge
Bridges can help restore a lot of functionality to your mouth, but the benefits don't stop there. Here are some ways that bridges can help your oral health: | • |
Fill the space left by missing teeth |
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Restore a smile to renewed beauty |
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Give you back the ability to chew without issue |
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Maintain facial shape |
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Prevent further tooth loss/damage |
The Procedure
The procedure to have a dental bridge placed is similar to that of having a dental crown placed. It starts with a preliminary appointment where we take a mold of your mouth to send to our dental lab so that they can fabricate a perfect match for your restoration. Then we will prepare the anchor teeth to receive the bridge appliance. We remove the outer layer of enamel from the tooth to allow the bridge to fit over the top of them.
Once the anchors have been prepared we will cap them with a temporary bridge that will act as a functioning bridge while we wait for your permanent to be crafted.
Once the permanent bridge is finished you will return to our office to have it placed and set with a permanent dental cement.
Following Having Your Bridge Placed
Following a dental bridge procedure we will make sure to give you a full set of care instructions. It's very important to keep these prostheses clean with regular brushing and flossing. If you notice any changes in your bite (the way your teeth fit together), it is important that you let us know right away so that we can address any issues before they become a problem. Call us today at (971) 708-1608 to schedule an appointment at our Hillsboro, OR office. Remember, if you experience discomfort or pain in your mouth for over a week, call us and setup an appointment as this may be the sign of a more serious dental issue. |
