Dental bridges offer a durable and affordable option for replacing missing teeth. Working with cosmetic and general dentistry specialists Sangeeta Sethi, DDS, and Ramji Sethi, DDS, at Sethi Dental offers residents of Greenwich, Connecticut, as well as Pomona, New York, and the Bronx borough of New York City, the chance to improve the look and function of their smile through top quality bridges. Book your visit online or by phone to learn more.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental appliance that serves to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges are created using one or more artificial teeth held in place with acrylic or wire components.
Dental bridges are secured by a dental crown on the teeth adjacent to each side of the bridge. This provides a secure and lasting anchoring structure and relieving any anxiety you might have about your bridgework falling out or shifting out of position.
Partial dentures are another option for replacing missing teeth, but dentures can sometimes shift. That’s because dentures are crafted to be removable, and sit on top of the underlying gum tissue.
The planning stage includes a dental exam and imaging to learn more about the specifics of your bite. The information gathered during this step allows your dentist to create a customized treatment plan that aligns perfectly with your needs.
If you need to have one or more teeth extracted, that occurs prior to moving forward with bridgework. You may need to wait until your gums have fully healed before having a new bridge installed.
Impressions show the precise size, shape, and positioning of your teeth, and guide the fabrication of your custom bridge. Once your bridge is ready, your dentist secures the device in place with dental crowns on both adjacent teeth.
Once you see and feel how well your dental bridge restores your smile and bite, you’ll want to do all you can to preserve those results. As with all dental restorations, it’s important to avoid placing undue pressure on your bridge.
Avoid chewing ice or any other hard item, and never use your teeth to hold items in place or pry packaging open. Be sure to brush and floss thoroughly. While a bridge cannot decay, food particles and bacteria can still accumulate on bridgework, creating issues with your overall dental health.
Schedule routine dental exams twice a year. These visits allow your dentist the opportunity to check your bridgework for any signs of damage. You can expect to enjoy many years of wear with a new bridge, but the restoration will eventually need to be replaced using the same procedure outlined above.
Learn more about bridges during your next office visit, which you can book online or over the phone today.