There are many terms that most people have heard of relating to dental work but many do not know exactly what they are or what is involved. A dental bridge is one such term and the name is actually rather descriptive about the process and product. When you have a space from a missing tooth (possibly because of decay or injury or accident that led to its removal), you can at times have a crown put in but other times the gum area is not able to hold this in place. In this case, dental bridges in Phoenix become a very important thing for you. The bridge is essentially something that provides a “bridge” between two teeth over an existing gap where another tooth used to be.
When placing a dental bridge, your dentist essentially creates a false tooth on the side of the two teeth adjacent to the space. This false tooth, called a pontic, is then attached to a crown on the abutment and eventually connected to an implant down the road. The bridge can be a great mechanism for managing a gap or space without needing an implant immediately or even longer term if an implant cannot properly take hold in the area. When you are considering dental bridges in Phoenix you will want to learn the level of experience your dentist has with performing this very important procedure. Find out also about every step and visit and what is involved. Will you be numbed and, if so, how? Will you experience pain after and what type of care should you provide for your mouth in the hours and days following the procedure? Will there need to be follow up visits? Make sure to have a full list of questions to ask your dentist before you start in on the treatment so that you are well versed in what to expect.
Dental bridges in Phoenix can go a long way toward restoring your smile in a very natural looking manner. They also help greatly in creating a proper jaw alignment and ability to chew and eat properly and fully as well as assisting with proper speech or basic face formation and shape. The bridge essentially prevents the face from becoming misaligned in an effort to accommodate the missing tooth. A good dentist can even manage to place a special bridge, called a cantilever bridge, in an area without teeth on either side to attach to. This is a more involved process but still very accessible and it delivers the great benefits to you of a traditional bridge. Ask your dentist today about your options for missing teeth, including dental bridges in Phoenix and you will be smiling big in no time.
