Dental Bridges in McMinnville, Oregon
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are prosthetic teeth typically made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys that “bridge” the gap created by two or more missing teeth between healthy teeth. They consist of crowns (anchor teeth) that dentists place on either side of the gap, next to the healthy teeth to hold the bridge in place. The bridge sits between the anchor teeth and acts like natural teeth, providing biting and chewing capabilities.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?
- Restores Your Smile
Missing teeth on either jaw can make for an unpleasant smile. Dental bridges replace these missing teeth, restoring your smile to its former glory. That way, you can face the world more confidently and become comfortable and at ease in social situations.
- Improves Chewing Capability
People with missing teeth usually eat diets consisting of soft foods and liquids that sometimes don’t offer the best nutritional value. By replacing your missing teeth, you can enjoy your favorite meals and a healthy and nutritious diet.
- Maintains Your Face’s Natural Shape
Missing teeth leads to the deterioration of the jawbone. Pressure on the jawbone is necessary to stimulate its growth and maintain its structural integrity. Without teeth to apply pressure to the jawbone it deteriorates, giving the face a sunken appearance. Bridges help create this pressure to stimulate jaw bone growth and maintain your face’s natural appearance.
The Dental Bridges Process at All About Smiles Family Dentistry
Initial Consultation and Treatment Plan
Tooth Preparation & Dental Bridge Fabrication
Final Placement
Frequently-Asked Questions About Dental Bridges
Caring for your dental bridge is as easy as brushing and flossing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily. You should also schedule regular dental visits to with a dentist near you to identify issues early on before they get out of hand and avoid hard foods, during the first few weeks after getting your dental bridge.
You’ll likely experience soreness in the gums and teeth the first few days after the procedure which dissipates in the first week or so. Your anchor teeth may also feel slightly sensitive for the first few days. That said, you should heal completely and regain full mouth teeth functionality after two weeks.