Missing teeth can affect more than just your smile—they can impact how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several solutions to restore your smile, and one of the most reliable options is a dental bridge carmel. If you’re exploring options like dental bridges, or looking for an experienced dentist, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth. As the name suggests, it "bridges" the gap left by missing teeth using a combination of crowns and artificial teeth (called pontics). The bridge is anchored to the natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap, ensuring a secure and natural-looking fit.
There are several types of dental bridges:
The process of getting a dental bridge typically involves two or more visits to your.dentist
Your dentist will examine your oral health, take X-rays, and discuss your options. If you're a good candidate for a bridge, they’ll recommend the type that best suits your needs.
For traditional bridges, the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth (abutment teeth) are reshaped to accommodate crowns. This ensures a proper fit and support for the bridge.
Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create a custom-fit bridge. While the permanent bridge is being fabricated in a dental lab, you’ll wear a temporary one to protect your exposed teeth and gums.
Once your bridge is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary one and carefully fit the permanent bridge. Adjustments will be made to ensure comfort, functionality, and aesthetics.