Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head SC
Your teeth serve a significant purpose in the aesthetics and function of your smile. Teeth help you eat, speak, and maintain proper tooth alignment. Tooth loss can occur among adults of all ages. Missing teeth can affect your smile, confidence, and functional ability to eat or speak. At Chris Mohler, DDS, we offer dental bridges to close the gap in your smile.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge consists of two abutment crowns fused together with a “pontic” in the middle. The pontic is a prosthesis that looks like a real tooth but without a root. The pontic rests gently along the gum line, which gives it the look of a real tooth. The two teeth adjacent to the space get capped with the crown ends of the bridge. Once in place, the If you have a missing tooth with stable teeth on either side of the space, a dental bridge may be the best option to restore your smile. bridge looks like separate teeth in your mouth.
What to Expect During the Procedure
To begin, we ensure you are comfortable and that the procedure does not inflict any pain. Therefore, Dr. Mohler administers an anesthetic to the treatment area. Then, he begins shaping and contouring the adjacent teeth to prepare them for the abutment crowns. Impressions, x-rays, and photographs may be needed as a guide to construct your dental bridge. Your bridge may be made in our Beaufort dental office using our CEREC machine or completed by a trusted dental lab. The final step involves cementing the dental bridge in place for a permanently restored smile.
What is a bridge made of?
Dental bridges have an outer shell of high-quality porcelain that is bonded to a durable metal, although some are all-porcelain. A solid porcelain bridge may be best suited to replace missing front teeth, while a porcelain-fused-to-metal bridge is designed to withstand biting pressure and works well for replacing missing molars and pre-molars.
How to care for a dental bridge
Caring for your dental bridge is as essential as caring for your real teeth. Brush and floss your bridge along with your natural teeth twice a day. You may need to purchase floss threaders or use a water flosser to clean underneath the pontic area of your bridge, where food and bacteria may become lodged or trapped. It is imperative to keep this area clean to avoid gum irritation or infection. Since your bridge relies on neighboring teeth for support, maintain good oral health and stick to six-month checkups to ensure your bridge serves its purpose for years to come.
Dental Bridges in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head
Restoring your smile and replacing missing teeth may be easier than you think when you choose a skilled cosmetic dentist in Beaufort like Dr. Chris Mohler. We are pleased to offer dental bridges to restore your smile and your confidence. If you would like to learn more about getting a dental bridge or find out if this is the best tooth replacement option for you, please contact Chris Mohler, DDS, by calling (843) 522-1442 to schedule a consultation or complete a Contact Form.