Dental Bridges In Harrisburg
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you probably want to know the best solution for repairing the gap. Leaving an open space can make it hard to talk and chew. It may also allow your other teeth to shift toward the opening, causing alignment problems. At Piedmont Dentistry in Harrisburg, we create dental bridges from a variety of materials to restore the missing teeth.
Who Needs Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are an alternative to dentures or implants for people who are missing teeth. Patients typically need this procedure if they have lost teeth due to trauma, decay, gum disease or other factors.
If you’re missing teeth, a dental bridge can correct the following issues:
- Problems biting and chewing correctly
- Jaw stress
- Irregular wear on teeth surfaces
- Self-consciousness about your missing teeth
People who aren’t good candidates for implants may opt for a dental bridge instead. You should have healthy teeth on both sides of the bridge to support the device. In cases where the adjoining teeth are nonexistent or unsatisfactory, the bridge may be connected to anchors, which are implanted in the gums. Patients with gum problems should also have those addressed before getting a bridge.
Types of Dental Bridges in Harrisburg, NC
We offer the following types of bridges at Piedmont Dentistry:
- Traditional fixed bridge – This is one or several adjoining prosthetic teeth that attach to the adjacent healthy teeth. The healthy teeth are usually covered with a crown to provide stronger support.
- Maryland dental bridge – This resin-bonded bridge is usually used to replace front teeth. It consists of an artificial tooth, which has a wing that extends to the side. We bond that wing to the back of the adjacent tooth to keep the prosthetic in place.
- Implant-supported bridge – This two-step process involves inserting
implants into your gums. Once those are affixed, we anchor the false teeth to the implants. This is an ideal solution for high-pressure areas, such as molars or missing teeth that don’t have an adjacent tooth to anchor to.
How Long Does a Dental Bridge Procedure Take?
Once you decide to replace your missing teeth with bridges, you should have your new smile in about two appointments. During the first appointment, our Harrisburg dentist will prepare your teeth and jaw for the procedure. Depending on the type of bridge that you’re getting, this involves reshaping the teeth next to the gap or inserting implants.
We will also take impressions of your mouth so that your artificial teeth look natural. You’ll wear a temporary bridge while the lab creates your new pearly whites.
When you return to Piedmont Dentistry in Harrisburg for the second appointment, the dentist will replace the temporary bridge with the permanent one. We will make sure that your alignment and bite feel comfortable. We’ll also give you instructions for maintaining your bridge so that it lasts as long as possible. With proper care, a dental bridge can last for up to 10 years.
If you live in the Harrisburg, NC, area and wonder whether you should replace your missing teeth with a dental bridge, contact us. We will set up a consultation to restore your beautiful smile.