Bridges
Dental Bridges at a Cosmetic San Diego Dentist Office
Dental bridges are a traditional treatment used for the replacement of missing teeth. Our patients look to the best dentist in San Diego for their cosmetic treatment, including dental bridges. When dental implants are not a viable option, most patients choose dental bridges as their choice for filling in a space of a tooth that is no longer present. Missing teeth can present several problems including misalignment and repositioning of the remaining teeth. This shifting can affect the way your teeth wear, and also make areas predisposed to gum disease.
What Are Bridges?
A bridge is usually made of porcelain material, sometimes fused to a metal base, or in some cases made of gold. They are extremely durable and function similar to a dental crown. Bridges are typically used to replace two or three missing teeth, but must have healthy teeth in the spaces adjacent to the missing teeth. The bridge is fabricated similar to a crown, with false teeth (pontics) between the supporting crowns, fused as a single piece.
Dental Bridge Treatment from a Cosmetic San Diego Dentist
To prepare your teeth for a bridge it is necessary to adjust and reshape the support teeth so that they can have the bridge cemented directly to the tooth. After they are prepared, a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to one of the highest quality dental laboratories available. Here, our special technicians will fabricate a custom bridge that fits exactly inside your mouth the way that it should, and is the same color as your surrounding teeth. After two to three weeks you will return to our San Diego cosmetic dental office for the delivery of your bridge. At this appointment the bridge will be permanently cemented to your teeth and adjusted as needed.
Caring For Your Bridge
Getting used to your bridge may take a little while, but within a short amount of time it will feel as though you have your normal teeth once again. Our patients are able to eat normally with their bridges the same as they would with their natural teeth, and Dr. Refahi stands behind and guarantees all of his treatment.
Cleaning around your bridge may take an extra step, as food and plaque can sneak underneath. Using a water flosser or proxa brush is an easy way to keep the area clean and free of decay or gum disease.