Dental Bridge in Raleigh
Replacing one or more missing teeth can be easily achieved using a dental bridge. Patients who are missing teeth may feel self-conscious about their appearance, but the impacts of missing teeth go beyond what someone sees when they smile.
Many issues can arise as a result of missing teeth including additional tooth loss, decay, and more. Your remaining teeth will often drift to fill the open space, and gums and surrounding tissue will become more susceptible to decay and disease.
Dental Bridge Components
Bridges, also known as fixed bridges, can be used to replace several missing teeth at once. Bridges are used to close the gap between teeth. They "bridge the gap" between two teeth.
Fixed bridges are solutions used by dental professionals to replace missing teeth. Bridges are made up of two major parts. The first part is known as the pontic, which is a false tooth.
In cases where more than one tooth needs to be replaced, multiple pontics are used. The second part of the fixed bridge is the part that holds the false tooth or pontic in place.
There are several types of fixed bridges that might be used to replace missing teeth. The kind of bridge used will depend on how many teeth are missing, and the state of the surrounding teeth.
Anna Abernethy, DDS
Dr. Abernethy, originally from Concord, North Carolina, moved to Raleigh for college and graduated from Meredith College in 2001 with a degree in biology and a minor in chemical physics. Her journey towards dentistry began unexpectedly when she experienced a dental emergency during her college years, leading her to explore the field through externship programs. Witnessing a patient's life-changing smile makeover after a car accident inspired her to become a dentist. She pursued her dental education at UNC-Chapel Hill Dental School, actively participating in various community service initiatives and events. After graduation, she gained valuable experience as an associate in a dental practice.
Jill Sonner, DDS
Dr. Sonner, a Raleigh native, completed her undergraduate studies at NCSU in Biological Sciences in 1999. She pursued dental education at UNC Dental School and trained at Fayetteville VA Medical Center, gaining skills in treating medically compromised and geriatric patients, and in advanced surgical techniques, including implant placement. She achieved Fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association, mentored by Dr. Arun Garg. Dr. Sonner, alongside Drs. Abernethy and Wells, took part in a mission to the Dominican Republic, contributing to dental implant surgeries, enhancing chewing function for locals who wouldn't otherwise have the chance. Their efforts significantly improved the quality of life for many recipients.
Anita Wells, DDS
Dr. Anita Wells, developed her passion for dentistry in her hometown of Pinehurst, inspired by her childhood dentist's compassionate and personalized care. From a young age, she was fascinated by his ability to transform lives through beautiful smiles. Observing his artistic skills and the positive impact he made on patients, she decided to pursue dentistry. Dr. Wells graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry, and later earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery with the highest honors. After practicing in Chapel Hill, she co-founded Renaissance Dental Center in 2009, aiming to provide personalized dental care based on her dedication to changing people's lives.
The Dental Bridge Process
The process of having bridges placed in a patient's mouth can be done in a few simple steps. The first step involves reshaping the surrounding teeth to support the bridge. The next step consists of making either a physical or digital impression of the newly shaped teeth so that the dental lab can prepare the bridge.
The mold (or digital scan) will be sent to the dental lab, and within a few weeks a brand new bridge will arrive at the dentist's office and be ready to place on the patient's teeth. The bridge will be fitted to make sure it is the proper shape, size, color, and texture. Then, the dentist will adhere the new bridge to the existing teeth using dental bonding cement. This cement is final, and once the bridge is placed, it will not be removed again.
Aftercare
It is important to care for a new dental bridge in the same way a patient would care for their existing teeth. When they are not properly cared for, bridges can cause irritation, infection and even decay to patient’s existing teeth. It is vital to schedule and keep dental appointments following the placement of a dental bridge.
Special tools may be required to clean the bridge including threaded floss, dental picks, and water flossers for good oral health and hygiene. Continuing to brush existing teeth, and especially the teeth immediately surrounding the dental bridge will be critical to the success of the dental bridge.
Bridge Benefits
The benefits of having a dental bridge far outweigh the risks associated with them. For example, having a pontic placed in the space where a tooth is missing can help to reduce the likelihood of a tooth moving into the space.
While the root space cannot be held, the physical space can be maintained and reduce the movement of other teeth. Another benefit of having dental bridges include the completion of a bite: proper alignment and contact of teeth is essential to reducing the risk of jaw problems, pain and discomfort, premature wearing away of enamel and more.
Other benefits include maintaining a more natural look of the face - missing teeth can cause the skin on the face to sag, which can make a person look older than they are; having a full set of teeth also helps people look younger. Of course, having a bridge placed in a patient's mouth also helps to improve self-esteem and confidence.
Candidates
Depending on how many teeth are missing, and the state of the surrounding teeth, dental bridges might be a good option for some patients. Other dental treatments are available for treating missing teeth including crowns, dental implants, and dentures (depending on how many teeth are missing from a patient's mouth). It's important to talk to a dentist to understand the options when it comes to restoring the look and feel of teeth. Choosing the right solution for each patient is vital to ensure their teeth are healthy for years to come. If you need more information about dental bridges, be sure to talk to your dentist today.