Do You Need a Dental Bridge?

If you have a missing tooth, or anticipate that you will need a tooth removed in the near future, you should consider getting a dental bridge to replace it. Leaving empty space between your healthy teeth will allow them to shift causing bite misalignment and further damage. Gaps between teeth can also affect how you chew and speak and change the shape of your face. You can avoid these problems by getting a dental bridge and crown from Dr. Nichols.  A dental bridge replaces your missing tooth with an artificial one secured by cement and dental crowns. A dental crown is a fixed device that covers your surrounding healthy teeth with a tooth-like cap to protect and strengthen them. Don’t let a missing tooth cause more damage than necessary to your oral health. Make an appointment with Dr. Nichols and Dr. Collins at Premier Walk-In Dental today. They specialize in restorative dental care in Rockledge, FL. Premier Walk-In Dental proudly serves patients throughout Cocoa, Satellite Beach, Merritt Island, Viera, Suntree, Melbourne, Palm Bay and surrounding communities.

3 Types of Dental Bridge

• Traditional Bridge- Artificial tooth attached to two or more crowns.
• Cantilever Bridge- Artificial tooth attached to one or more crowns on one side of the missing tooth.
• Maryland Bridge- Artificial tooth that’s bonded or cemented to the natural teeth on either side by small metal or ceramic wing shaped attachments.

What Happens During a Dental Bridge Procedure?

• If advised you may be given oral, IV or nitrous oxide sedation.
• The dentist will use a local and topical anesthetic on the gums near your tooth to numb the pain during the procedure.
• The dentist then reshapes the teeth next to your missing tooth for the dental crowns. This could include filling hollowed-out areas of your teeth and filing down other parts.
• The dentist will make a rubber mold impression of the space left by your missing tooth and the teeth around it. The impression is sent to a lab to make a customized bridge.
• The dentist will place a temporary bridge for you to wear until your permanent bridge is ready.
• After a few weeks, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent dental bridge with permanent cement.
• The dentist will examine and test the dental bridge for proper fit before cementing. This may involve grinding parts of the bridge to ensure a proper bite.
• You may need to return to the dentist periodically for painless adjustments of the bridge to ensure a comfortable bite.

Dental Bridge Appointments in Rockledge, FL

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your other healthy teeth just because you’ve lost a tooth due to tooth decay or injury. Start protecting them by making a dental bridge appointment with Dr. Nichols and Dr. Collins at Premier Walk-In Dental today. Premier Walk-In Dental proudly serves families throughout Cocoa, Satellite Beach, Merritt Island, Viera, Suntree, Melbourne, Palm Bay and nearby areas.