If you have missing or broken teeth, it is important to address the situation as quickly as possible. Missing teeth are not only unattractive, if not addressed; the underlying bone structure may deteriorate, and adjacent teeth are put at risk. A common option for replacing one or more teeth is dental bridges. Dr. Quigless will evaluate your mouth and determine if dental bridges are the right option for you.
Not everybody is a good candidate for dental bridges, a few of the qualifications include:
- You have one or more missing teeth
- Good oral hygiene practices
- You have enough healthy teeth near the gaps to support the bridge
Dr. Quigless will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if dental bridges are an appropriate treatment option, or if an alternative like dental implants, or mini-dental implants would work better.
The part of the bridge that actually replaces the tooth is called the pontic. The pontic is held up on either side by porcelain crowns called abutments. In most cases, you need two abutment pieces for every pontic, so replacing two missing teeth with one bridge may require four crowns. The front teeth, which often undergo less stress, a cantilevered bridge may be possible, where the abutment is to one side of the gap only.
To find out more about dental bridges, please contact St. Louis cosmetic dentist, Dr. Quigless today.
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