Dental Bridges Portland, OR
Tooth loss is a serious issue that can impact every part of your life. Even losing a single tooth can have a significant impact. Replacing your missing teeth is essential for restoring the functions of your mouth and your quality of life. Sylvan Heights Dental can replace a missing tooth with a dental bridge.
Effects of Tooth Loss
Tooth loss can have many significant effects on your life. One of the most obvious effects is what tooth loss does to the quality of your smile. However, even if the missing tooth is out of view when you smile, the event can still have a major impact. Effects of tooth loss include: • |
Difficulty properly chewing your food. This interferes with proper digestion, which can result in poor nutrition.
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Trouble speaking properly.
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An increased risk for cavities, gum disease, and tooth damage.
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Shifting teeth. The teeth adjacent to the empty space can begin shifting out of alignment. This can alter your bite, leading to serious issues such as bruxism and TMJ disorder. |
What is a Bridge?
A bridge is a traditional restoration for replacing a missing tooth. While commonly used to replace a single tooth, it can replace up to three consecutive missing teeth. There are a few different types of bridges available, including cantilever bridges, Maryland or resin bonded bridges, and fixed bridges. The most commonly used bridge is a fixed bridge.
This restoration, typically made from porcelain, consists of a pontic tooth and two crowns. The pontic tooth is the actual replacement tooth. It resembles the size and shape of the tooth it is replacing. The crowns, one on each side of the pontic tooth, are there to hold the bridge in your mouth. They anchor the bridge on to the healthy adjacent teeth, called the abutment teeth, keeping the bridge securely in place.
How is a Bridge Placed?
The process for placing a bridge requires two separate appointments. During your first appointment, we first prepare the abutment teeth. We need to remove a portion of the enamel from each abutment tooth, reducing them in size. This ensures that your bridge will sit properly and comfortably in your mouth. After preparing the teeth, we take an impression and place a temporary restoration.
Your impression is sent to our dental lab. The lab uses the impression to design and fabricate your custom bridge. Once it has been completed, it is time for your second appointment. During this appointment, we check your bridge for a proper fit and natural bite. If there is no need for any adjustments, we set the bridge into place and secure it using special dental cement.
Benefits of a Bridge
A bridge provides many significant benefits. These benefits include: • |
Improving the beauty of your smile.
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Restoring your biting and chewing abilities. This aids in restoring proper digestion.
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Improving your oral health.
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Restoring even bite pressures. This helps to protect your healthy teeth from damage.
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Keeping your healthy teeth in proper alignment. |
With a bridge, we can restore the functions of your missing tooth and improve your quality of life. Call Sylvan Heights Dental today at (503) 297-1471 to schedule your appointment and find out if a bridge is right for you. nation. |