Nov
Do you hesitate to smile because of missing teeth? Dental bridges in Bel Air, Maryland, can help. Expertly placed at D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner D.D.S., dental bridges replace a few missing teeth in a row to restore your oral function and appearance. Dr. Bartholomew Kreiner places high-quality dental bridges to provide seamless integration with existing teeth. When placed, no one will know you have replacement teeth—your bridge looks like an extension of existing teeth.
Tooth loss can happen for various reasons, including tooth decay, injury, gum disease, or poor genetics. No matter the cause, losing teeth impacts your oral health significantly. Missing teeth can make it harder to chew, affect your bite alignment, and lead to jawbone deterioration over time. Additionally, tooth loss can impact your self-confidence and appearance.
Even losing one tooth can create a ripple effect of problems in your mouth, as teeth work together to create a balanced and functional smile. Replacing lost teeth as soon as possible helps preserve your oral health and restores your smile’s full function and aesthetics.
A dental bridge is an economical solution for missing teeth. It’s a group of crowns that connect to replacement teeth. A traditional bridge typically includes replacement teeth (pontic) secured to the neighboring teeth (abutments) with dental crowns. Dental bridges replace a few missing teeth in a row.
Traditional dental bridges work, but patients can achieve more stability by reinforcing them with dental implants. Implant-supported bridges are more stable and don’t involve shaving down otherwise healthy teeth.
Replacing your missing teeth with dental bridges takes 2-3 dental appointments. The first appointment is a consultation to determine your suitability for dental bridges. If so, the dentist will reshape your abutment teeth to create space for dental crowns. Then, we’ll take digital scans of your prepped to be used by the dentist to custom-create your crowns and bridges. As you wait for your bridgework, we’ll place temporary restorations on your teeth to protect your prepped teeth.
The next appointment is to place and secure your dental bridge in the edentulous space. The dentist makes several adjustments to ensure your bridges are optimally aligned to support better aesthetics and function.
Dental bridges are permanent, which means you maintain them like natural teeth. Brush and floss your teeth daily to remove plaque and food debris. Visit your dentist regularly to check the health of your bridges and clean areas you can’t access with your home tools. Although dental bridges are stable, avoid hard and crunchy foods to prevent loosening your appliances.
Have you lost teeth in the front or back of your mouth? Dental bridges are versatile to replace your teeth anywhere in the mouth. Ready to replace your missing teeth with dental bridges? Call (410) 983-6775 to schedule an appointment with D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner D.D.S.