Dental bridge a great tooth replacement option for patients missing front teeth in Clearwater, FL
Over time, teeth can decay, crack, or sustain injuries that lead to a tooth falling out or needing to be extracted. When this happens to one or more teeth in the front of your mouth, you may be interested in learning about your options for replacing the missing teeth. At Natural Dentistry in Clearwater, FL, dentist Dr. Beata A. Carlson & Associates understands the importance of a healthy, beautiful smile on your self-confidence, and therefore offers several biocompatible treatment options for missing teeth. One option that many patients choose is a dental bridge.
What is a dental bridge?
Dental bridges are a way to replace one or more teeth that are missing in a row. A false tooth is created to match the size, shape, and color of the patient’s existing teeth, and then the crown is affixed to the teeth that are adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. This effectively “bridges” the gap created by the missing teeth, which is how dental bridges got their name. Dental bridges are a great option for many patients who are missing one or more front teeth, because they not only restore the natural function of the missing teeth but also bring back the natural beauty of the smile.
There are a few different types of dental bridges that can be used, depending on the patient’s treatment preferences, the location of the tooth gap, and the health of the surrounding teeth.
- Traditional bridge: This is the most common type of dental bridge. It involves placing crowns on the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap, or the placement of dental implants in those locations, to affix the dental bridge in the mouth.
- Maryland bridge: This type of bridge consists of a porcelain tooth that is affixed to the adjacent tooth using “wings” to keep the replacement tooth in place.
- Cantilever bridge: This type of bridge was historically used when there was only one tooth next to the missing tooth or teeth but is not commonly used anymore because it is unable to sustain the force of biting as well as other tooth replacement options.
As a holistic, natural dentist, Dr. Beata A. Carlson is committed to only using materials in dental bridges or other types of tooth restorations that do not harm your body. This means that dental bridges will be fabricated using biocompatible materials such as porcelain instead of metal or amalgam. Porcelain has many benefits:
- It will not cause allergic or toxic reactions in the body
- It looks and feels like tooth enamel so no one will know that you have a tooth restoration in place
- Porcelain is durable and strong
- It can be shaded to match your existing tooth color
Getting a dental bridge: what to expect
The first step in replacing your missing tooth or teeth is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Beata A. Carlson. He will conduct a thorough evaluation of not only the area where the tooth is missing but also the health of your overall mouth. Based on your oral health and specific needs and preferences, he will provide one or more treatment recommendations and discuss the pros and cons of each with you. If a dental bridge is not the best choice, several other options such as dental implants, partial dentures, and full dentures are available.
If you determine that a dental bridge is a good option, the next step is to prepare your mouth for the bridge. If you need a bridge due to a dental extraction, that will take place first. Then, if a traditional bridge with crowns will be used, Dr. Beata A. Carlson will prepare the teeth that the crowns will be placed on. This involves filing and shaping the teeth so that the crown can fit properly in your mouth without being too bulky. At this point, impressions of your mouth will be taken so that the bridge can be custom-made in a laboratory based on the exact specifications that are provided. Temporary crowns may be placed on your teeth for your comfort while the bridge is being created. When the final bridge is ready, it will be securely adhered to your teeth.
The natural dentistry difference
If you are dealing with tooth loss, Dr. Beata A. Carlson will provide compassionate, understanding care and will work to understand your preferences and budget to determine the best treatment plan for restoring your smile. At his holistic dentistry practice, Dr. Beata A. Carlson only uses materials that work in harmony with your body and provide natural-looking results for a beautiful smile. The office is conveniently located in Clearwater, FL, and we are always accepting new and existing patients. Call Natural Dentistry at 727-888-6929 to schedule a consultation about your smile today!
