A dental bridge is a restoration that fills the gap left by a missing tooth or several missing teeth in a row. It restores your ability to chew and speak normally and also prevents your remaining natural teeth from shifting out of position.
At LALA Dental, Dr. Meshkin uses bridges to restore her patients’ oral functionality, maintain their oral health, and restore their smiles after tooth loss. The dentist uses high-quality, durable materials to design custom bridges that fit perfectly and last a long time.
The Advantages of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is designed to replace missing teeth and provide patients with a natural-looking smile. Unlike partial dentures, which sit on top of your gums and can be less stable, a bridge is supported by your remaining natural teeth.
Crowns are placed over your natural teeth to support the bridge and the artificial teeth that fill in the gap left by the missing teeth. This restores your smile to a natural appearance and allows you to speak and eat again. A dental bridge is custom-made to fit your smile and natural bite.
The Procedure for Dental Bridges
During your initial consultation, Dr. Meshkin will take X-rays and discuss the procedure with you. After Dr. Meshkin has examined your teeth and determined that bridges are the ideal method for restoring your smile, the process can begin.
X-rays and impressions will be used to customize the bridge to fit your specific needs. Dr. Meshkin will use these measurements to create a custom bridge that will fit comfortably in your mouth. The bridge will be customized to match your teeth in color, shape, size, and alignment. This will help it blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile and ensure you don’t experience any issues when speaking or chewing.
The next step of the procedure is to prepare the surrounding teeth for the crowns. Dr. Meshkin will prepare the teeth supporting the bridge by shaping them and removing any excess enamel. This will ensure that the bridge can be securely placed over the teeth and won’t cause discomfort or pain.
Next, Dr. Meshkin will place temporary crowns on the abutments to protect the teeth from damage while the gums heal.
Once the surrounding teeth have been prepared, Dr. Meshkin will take impressions of your mouth. The impressions will be sent to a dental lab, where they will use them to design your custom bridge. This process can take a few weeks because of the customization required to ensure your new bridge fits properly.
Once the bridge is ready, Dr. Meshkin will call you to schedule a second appointment, during which you’ll get to try on your final restoration to ensure it fits comfortably in your mouth.
If you're considering a dental bridge or have questions about your options, our experienced dentist in Lafayette, CA, is here to help. To learn more about dental bridges, visit LALA Dental at 895 Moraga Rd Suite 6, Lafayette, CA 94549, or call (925) 385-8858. We're dedicated to providing personalized care to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile.
