Dental Bridges
Barrie, Ontario - Canada
When you lose one of your permanent teeth, the only way to reconstruct your smile is by incorporating some type of artificial tooth. Dental bridges are one tried and true method of tooth replacement that has been used by general and cosmetic dentists for years. At Molson Park Dental Office cosmetic dentist Dr. Adam Chapnick offers dental bridges as well as dental implants to allow you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
How Your Existing Teeth Support Dental Bridges
Your healthy teeth that are adjacent to the missing tooth space in your smile act as anchors for a traditional dental bridge. Dr. Chapnick prepares these teeth to be covered with Empress porcelain dental crowns by removing a small amount of tooth enamel. The dental crowns are custom-made in a dental laboratory so they fit perfectly on your teeth and can hold a tailor-made artificial tooth in the empty gap. This is considered a fixed dental bridge because it is not removable like dentures.
Dentists use certain terms to refer to the different components and types of dental bridges:
- Abutment teeth: the anchor teeth that are fitted with dental crowns
- Pontic: the artificial tooth that sits between the abutment teeth
- Cantilever bridge: a variety of dental bridge that is used when you have only one healthy tooth next to the empty gap; this is often used for front teeth
- Maryland bonded dental bridge: a different type of dental bridge that uses a winged metal framework cemented to the back of adjacent teeth and a plastic artificial tooth on top
When the dental bridge process is complete, you will be able to use your artificial tooth just like your normal teeth. The Empress porcelain materials Dr. Chapnick uses to construct your dental bridge are made precisely to look, feel and function like real teeth.
Dr. Chapnick can also incorporate removable dental bridges using precision attachments.
We will be happy to answer all of your questions about dental bridges during a tooth replacement consultation.
Why a Gap in Your Smile Can Be Harmful
Having a full set of healthy teeth looks better then having dark holes in your smile. But there are actually more physical reasons why you should seriously consider getting a replacement tooth.
- Your jaw bone will deteriorate
- A gap may prevent you from eating certain foods
- You may suffer from a speech impediment
- The adjacent teeth can drift into the empty space, causing your teeth to become crooked and jaw misaligned, leading to TMJ problems
If you have lost a tooth and would like to discuss options for tooth replacement with cosmetic dentist Dr. Adam Chapnick, please contact Molson Park Dental Office in Barrie to arrange a free initial consultation.
