Dental Bridges Treatment at Your Tanglewood Dentist

One of the best treatments for a lost tooth is a dental bridge.

Dental bridges restore the look and feel of a natural tooth that has been lost due to decay or because of an accident.

In addition to restoring the appearance of natural teeth, a dental bridge can also restore the function of natural teeth.

Dental bridges are made to be a durable, effective replacement for a lost tooth that allows the patient to regain their ability to eat, drink, and speak naturally, while simultaneously giving them the confidence to smile again.

Tanglewood Dentist Dental Bridges Treatment

In order to get a dental bridge, your teeth need to be prepared and an accurate map of them needs to be taken.

Your Tanglewood dentist maps your teeth by creating a cast of them. The cast covers all the surfaces of your teeth and creates a mold from which perfect replicas of your teeth can be made.

These replicas help the dental laboratory to create a dental bridge that matches the shape, alignment, and size of your original teeth so it will fit comfortably and snugly.

A comfortable fit is important for longevity and to prevent bacterial infections from occurring.

To prepare your teeth, the dentist files down the teeth adjacent to the gap, which gives space for a crown to be placed over them.

The cast is used to create a dental bridge consisting of a false tooth with crowns on either side that will perfectly fit with your teeth.

Once the dental bridge is complete, which can take a few days to over a week; you will return to the dentist and have it installed.

Your Tanglewood dentist will ensure the fit is comfortable before securing the crowns to the anchor teeth. If it’s not quite right, they’ll make minor adjustments or, if necessary, order a new dental bridge be constructed.

Once secured, your dental bridge is complete! You’ll be able to eat and drink as normal, and taking care of your dental bridge is as simple as brushing and rinsing your teeth.

With constant care and regular checkups, your dental bridge can last five to ten years, and sometimes even longer.

Dental Bonding, Veneers, and Fillings

Dental bonding is a restorative measure that fixes a tooth which has been fractured or chipped as a result of decay or an accident.

There are a couple types of bonding that can be used, composite resin and veneer bonding.

Composite Resin or Veneer?

Which method is the best for you? That depends on a few factors. Cost, strength, and maintenance all affect how well your dental bonding will perform and how long it will last.

Composite resins are a low cost method for bonding teeth, and the ability to color match them to teeth make them a favorable option for patients wanting some minor restoration at an affordable price.

These resins are best for teeth that have little damage or are discolored, and preferably on teeth that are not subjected to high bite pressures.

Veneers take longer to produce because a cast of the patient’s mouth is required to create a veneer that fits comfortably and securely. Veneers can be made from composite resin or porcelain, with porcelain being more durable.

Of course, this means that porcelain veneers are more costly, but with proper care, they can certainly outlast a composite resin bond or veneer.

Prolonging Your Dental Bond or Veneer

Veneers will certainly last longer than dental bonding, but a dental bond that is well taken care of can last up to 10 years.

The care involved includes maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine and clearing out plaque regularly. A bi-yearly visit to the dentist is also a top notch idea.

Additionally, for people who use their teeth to open packages, chew ice or popcorn seeds, eat hard candies, or bite their nails can cause damage to dental bonding and veneers.

Dental Bonding or Fillings?

If a tooth has been badly damaged by decay or an accident, especially with a particularly deep fissure, a filling in more likely necessary.

Fillings function as a dental bond by keeping the tooth together, but they are much stronger than a dental bond and can be used as easily as regular teeth would.

This comes from the filling strengthening the tooth from the inside. This results in a much stronger bond that can possibly last a lifetime.