Dental Bridges

Pleasanton Dental Bridges

Your smile is usually the first part of making a good first impression, so you will want to do everything you can to keep it looking great. One common procedure many people get to maintain healthy teeth is a dental bridge. Dental bridges help replace missing teeth by fixing a bridge onto neighboring teeth. Let’s see if you might be a candidate for a dental bridge and take a look at what is involved.

What Is A Bridge?

A bridge is a custom-fitted device that replaces one or more missing teeth. Bridges are anchored on either end to existing teeth with specially prepared crowns that help hold the bridge in place.

Dental Bridge Assessment

Before we do any work, we first need to determine if bridges are right for you. Gateway Dental Care in Pleasanton will then do a complete examination of the area, take X-rays, and prepare tooth casts. Sometimes, some preparatory work must be done before the bridge is created. A root canal may be required, for example, on one of your teeth. So this procedure would be done before beginning the bridge.

Each tooth that bridges are attached to will need to be strong. If one is weak, a new foundation will need to be built up. This foundation is called a “core”. The core may involve placing a post into the root canal. The core is held by the post and secures the bridge. If you need a core to be built up, this is typically done in a visit prior to when your teeth are readied for a bridge.

What to Expect During Your Procedure

There are two ways your bridge can be fixed into position: with crowns or with adhesive. The teeth that will support your crown will need to be reduced in size so that the crowns can be fitted properly. This method is quite stable but does not allow for removal for cleaning.
The other way it can be fixed into place is by use of an adhesive behind each supporting tooth. This method does not use a crown and is sometimes preferred by patients who don’t like a lot of drilling. You will likely be further advised about both options so you can make an informed decision about which technique is right for you.

Why Are Crowns And Bridges Necessary?

Missing teeth need to be replaced to prevent the eventual movement of remaining teeth which can lead to malocclusion and/or periodontal disease. Bridges will also help prevent unnatural stress on other teeth and enhance your smile, chewing and speech.