Can a Dental Bridge Help with Teeth Alignment?
Replacing lost teeth with a dental bridge has many advantages. Tooth loss does not just affect the appearance of the smile, but also the ability to talk and chew easily, teeth alignment, and the person’s confidence. A dental bridge closes the gap between teeth and prevents further damage. Read on to find out how bridges can help restore teeth alignment.
Teeth alignment and oral health
If a tooth is lost or extracted, the nearby teeth may move into the space that is left over. Each tooth is aligned uniquely, depending on the shape of the jaw and bite alignment. When there is a slight disruption, the arrangement of the teeth becomes imbalanced. The missing tooth can make the existing teeth misaligned; this may expose tooth roots, causing teeth sensitivity and susceptibility to bacterial invasion and infection. Teeth misalignment can also cause problems in the jaw joints.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge consists of a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) known as the pontic that is supported by one or two healthy teeth (called abutments), usually covered by dental crowns. Bridges are custom-made to appear natural and restore normal dental functions.
There are two methods of stopping the teeth from moving out of alignment after tooth loss. Use a space maintainer to hold the space occupied by the lost tooth: This works as a temporary solution until a replacement tooth is provided. The other option is to use a tooth restoration, like a dental bridge. Unlike the space maintainer that only preserves the gap, the dental bridge covers it with a custom prosthetic tooth.
For the dental bridge placement, the dentist will prepare the teeth close to the gap to get dental crowns. This is done by filing down the surfaces of those teeth. The bridge, as well as the crowns that will fit over the prepared teeth, will be custom-made with impressions of the teeth. To get the custom fitting, the dentist will make a mold of the patient’s teeth. The mold reveals important details of how the teeth align against each other so that the dental lab can fabricate a dental restoration that fits.
Producing a dental bridge takes some time. There could be a few weeks between the first appointment for the bridge preparation and the appointment when the patient finally gets the dental bridge. The patient will get a temporary bridge after the first visit. This will protect the prepared teeth and the gap from further damage and bacteria.
After the dental bridge is ready, the dentist will want to ensure that the restoration fits in the patient’s mouth comfortably. A wrong-fitting bridge will not just cause discomfort, but it may also cause problems such as bruises and infections. For a more accurate fitting, the dentist may adjust the bridge or take new molds to have the bridge remade. If the dentist and the patient are satisfied with the dental restoration, it will be bonded permanently in place.
The bottom line
If you have missing teeth, you need to visit a dentist for a tooth-replacement option. A dental bridge can replace the lost teeth and stop other teeth from moving out of place.
Request an appointment here: https://www.mpdentalarts.com or call Moskowitz and Penner Dental Arts at (732) 583-3373 for an appointment in our Aberdeen Township office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Bridges in Aberdeen Township, NJ.
Related Posts
Dental crowns are common treatments used to fully restore teeth. Restoring damaged teeth can be done in several ways, depending on the severity of the damage or decay. One of the most popular ways that this is done is through dental crown placement.Here is a quick overview of dental crowns and how they are used…
You should consider seeing a family dentist if you have children. This allows your entire household to get their dental needs met at the same time instead of driving all over town to drop each member of your family off at their dentist.A family dentist is a general dentist who spends most of their time…
Keeping your appointments with your family dentist can help keep your mouth healthy. This dental health professional knows how to relax and calm patients of every age. Knowing your dentist’s abilities can give you peace of mind that you are in good hands. Here are the details on how your family dentist can improve your…
Your family dentist can provide many good things to your dental health. Improving your dental health means enhancing your general health as well. Understanding how your dentist helps can make it easier to book your appointment. Here are some of the benefits of seeing a family dentist.Having a family dentist can make dental appointments easy…