Missing teeth can significantly impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several options to replace missing teeth, including dental bridges. At Crawford Leishman Dental, we specialize in providing dental bridges in Vineyard, Utah.

What are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of a pontic (artificial tooth) held in place by dental crowns attached to the adjacent natural teeth. Dental bridges can be supported by dental implants placed in the jawbone.

Dental bridges are a durable and effective solution to combat tooth loss and restore the smile’s look and function.

The Benefits of Dental Bridges:

Dental bridges offer various benefits and advantages worth considering. Some of them include: 

  • Restores the appearance of the smile: Missing teeth can be a significant source of embarrassment and self-consciousness for many people. Dental bridges can effectively fill the gaps in your smile and restore your confidence in your appearance. The pontic, or artificial tooth, is custom-made to match the shape and color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result.
  • Improves speech and chewing ability: Missing teeth can also impact your ability to speak and eat comfortably. Dental bridges can restore proper tooth alignment and enable you to chew your food thoroughly, improving your digestion and overall health. Dental bridges can also help you enunciate words more clearly, particularly those requiring precise tongue and teeth placement.
  • Maintains the shape of the face: Missing teeth can cause your cheeks to appear hollow, altering the overall shape of your face. Filling the gaps with dental bridges maintains the face’s natural contours, creating a fuller, more youthful appearance.
  • Prevents adjacent teeth from shifting: When teeth are missing, the surrounding teeth may go out of place to fill the gap. Tooth loss can cause misalignment, bite problems, and even further loss. Dental bridges hold adjacent teeth in place, preventing them from shifting and helping to maintain proper tooth alignment.
  • Distributes bite forces evenly across the mouth: When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth may bear more pressure during biting and chewing. Dental bridges evenly distribute bite forces across the mouth, reducing the risk of dental issues and promoting a healthy bite. This uneven pressure distribution can lead to dental problems such as cracked or worn-down teeth, jaw pain, and headaches.

The Dental Bridge Procedure:

The dental bridge procedure typically requires two or more appointments. During the first appointment, we prepare the adjacent teeth for dental crowns by removing a portion of the enamel. Impressions are taken of the teeth and sent to a dental laboratory, where the bridge is custom-made to fit your mouth. In the meantime, we place a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth and maintain the smile’s appearance.

We remove the temporary bridge at the second appointment, and the permanent bridge is placed and adjusted for fit and bite. The bridge is then permanently cemented, restoring your smile and ability to eat and speak comfortably.

 

Caring for Dental Bridges in Vineyards

Dental bridges require proper care and maintenance to ensure their longevity. You should brush and floss your teeth regularly, paying particular attention to the area around the bridge. Regular dental checkups are also essential to monitor the health of the teeth and gums and ensure the bridge remains secure and functional.

“A dental bridge can replace one tooth or several consecutive missing teeth.”

Dental Bridges in Vineyard, Utah

If you are missing teeth, dental bridges may be the solution to restore your smile and confidence. At Crawford Leishman Dental, Dr. Chris Crawford, Dr. Rick Leishman, and Dr. Matt Fletcher are committed to helping you achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how dental bridges can benefit you.

Call us to find out how dental bridges can help you today. 

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