Fixing the gaps in your smile is an important thing to do. Missing teeth give plaque and bacteria a place to gather, which can cause gum disease. Your other teeth may make use of the space to drift or even rotate out of alignment, which can cause your teeth to strike one another at improper angles. This can damage the enamel and may cause your teeth to chip and crack.
There are cosmetic concerns, since missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious, and you may have trouble speaking and eating effectively.
Many people opt for dental implants to fill out their smile. However, not everyone is a good candidate for implants, and some people may not be able to afford them. While dentures can be crafted to fit any smile, some people have a sensitive gag reflex, and may not be comfortable with the feel of dentures in their mouths. A dental bridges is an effective way to restore your smile without surgery or a great deal of dental work. It usually take only two visits to place, and with the proper care, it can last for ten years or more.
To place a bridge, your dentist will use the teeth on each end of the empty space. Your dentist will remove the enamel from those teeth to place a crown on the exposed dentin. These teeth will be the anchors of your new bridge. After taking an impression of the area, which will be used to craft your new bridge, the dentist will place temporary crowns over the dentin. When your new bridge is ready, the dentist will fix it, and the permanent crowns in your mouth, giving you a full, healthy smile.
Your bridge will need to be brushed and flossed, just as you care for your normal teeth. If you find it difficult to floss your bridge, try using a water flosser or a floss threader. Your crowns need to be brushed and flossed since tooth decay can work its way under the dental work and destabilize the crowns.
Call us at (919) 468-5501 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Siti A. Lowery, DDS to visit the dental practice at 110 Preston Executive Dr. #104, Cary, NC 27513.