General Dentistry Restoration Options: Dental Bridge

General dentistry happens to include restoring teeth that are in bad shape or completely missing. Of course, a restoration is meant to bring the tooth back to its original shape, form, and function. However, in some cases, this is not all the way possible, making it necessary to undergo something like a dental bridge placement. Keep reading to find out more about bridges and how they are used in general dentistry. 

Bridges in general dentistry

Below is a quick overview of dental bridges and how they are used as restorations in general dentistry. Having an understanding of this information can be quite helpful to those who are in need of improving oral health.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a restoration used in general dentistry to replace missing teeth. It is a small base piece that connects to artificial teeth, made of dental crowns. The piece is placed in the empty space where a tooth once was and it bridges the gap between the two surrounding teeth on either side of the empty space. Typically, the base piece is metal and the artificial teeth, also known as pontics, are porcelain or ceramic dental crowns. 

Dental bridges look very natural and cannot easily be detected by the natural eye. In general dentistry, the piece is custom made to fit the empty space, as well as the two supporting natural teeth. 

When general dentists recommend it

General dentists recommend bridges when there is a missing tooth in between two remaining natural teeth or for a tooth that is on its way to rotting. A rotting tooth is one that requires extraction; however, general dentists also recommend replacement shortly after. 

Having a missing tooth is not ideal as it can create problems with eating, speaking, and appearance. Instead, it is better to undergo replacement soon after losing a tooth or having it extracted. Thankfully, a dental bridge is a great solution that does not involve too many invasive procedures. In fact, having a bridge placed does not involve nearly as much as other replacement solutions do. 

Other things to know

It is good to know that dental restorations address many issues, not just rotting or missing teeth. For example, dental crowns and fillings can both be used to restore a tooth to its original shape and health. However, in the case of dental bridges, their purpose serves to replace and restore. 

Find out more from a general dentist

When needing to undergo any type of restoration in general dentistry, the best thing to do is start by getting an evaluation. The evaluation will give the dentist a chance to examine the missing or rotting tooth and determine what type of treatment is most suitable. From there, an action plan will be put into place to determine the timeline, costs, etc. 

To learn more about dental bridges and how they are used by general dentists, reach out today. Additionally, we can get you scheduled for a consultation. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.carlosesanchezdds.com or call Carlos E. Sanchez, DDS at (209) 690-1118 for an appointment in our Tracy office.

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