Our doctors offer beautiful dental bridge restorations at Crawford Leishman Dental in Orem, UT, to fill the empty spaces left by missing teeth. Natural-looking bridges and crowns provide improved function and restore a fuller and more complete smile. Drs. Chris Crawford and Rick Leishman have the expertise needed to design a beautiful custom bridge that can not only improve your appearance but also help improve your oral health.
A traditional bridge is anchored in place by two dental crowns. These crowns are placed over the two teeth on either side of the gap. One or more pontics, or artificial teeth, are attached to the crowns. By replacing the missing teeth, you improve your overall bite, preventing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems and the movement of your other teeth. You can also chew your food with greater ease and improve your speech.
If you choose an implant-supported bridge, one or more dental implants replace the missing tooth roots. A custom bridge is then crafted to attach to the implants, requiring no alteration of surrounding teeth. An implant-supported bridge offers greater long-term benefits than a traditional bridge, such as the prevention of bone recession at the treatment site.
You will meet with one of our doctors to determine which type of dental bridge is right for you. Dr. Crawford or Dr. Leishman will evaluate the state of your teeth, gums, and jaw. There are certain requirements you must meet to qualify for each type of bridge.
To qualify for a traditional dental bridge, the teeth adjacent to the gap must be healthy and structurally sound. This means there are no signs of decay or damage to either of the teeth, which could compromise their ability to support your bridge.
The requirements for an implant-supported bridge are more stringent. Dental implants require a sufficient amount of bone tissue for adequate support. Bone loss begins immediately after losing a tooth, and up to 25% of your bone tissue is lost within the first year. If you lack adequate bone tissue, you can undergo a bone graft. This will rebuild the bone tissue so you can receive dental implants. In general, the best candidates for dental implants are non-smokers. Nicotine can inhibit the body’s ability to heal, which can severely compromise the likelihood of a successful implant surgery. If you smoke and would like to receive implants, your dentist will advise quitting the habit for several months before surgery and ideally ceasing smoking permanently.
Dental bridges are an effective restorative solution for gaps caused by missing teeth. Both traditional and implant-supported options can restore functionality and aesthetics to your smile while preventing tooth movement and severe misalignment. If you are missing a number of teeth and want to restore your ability to chew and speak properly, contact us today to schedule a restorative consultation.