When a person is missing one or more teeth but does not need a full set of dentures, dental bridges may be recommended to take the place of the lost teeth. The number of teeth that a dental bridge replaces may depend on several factors.
Dental bridges consist of two or more crowns that attach to the abutment teeth at each end of the vacant space and connect to one or more artificial teeth called pontics. Bridges are usually constructed from a metal base, covered by porcelain and shaded to match the natural teeth.
A dental bridge can take the place of a single tooth but is commonly used to restore two, three, four, or more teeth. The greater the number of missing teeth, the more crowns needed to support the bridge and the less stable the bridge tends to be. Dentists use implants to provide additional reinforcement for bridges that replace large numbers of teeth or for patients who do not have strong enough natural teeth to support the bridge. Dental implants may also be used as free-standing teeth to fill gaps that are not adjacent to the bridged area.
People often elect to have missing front teeth restored for aesthetic reasons, but it can also be wise to replace back teeth. When spaces in the gums are left empty, the surrounding teeth can move in the patient's mouth, causing changes to the bite and sometimes resulting in problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders. Bridges also have other aesthetic and functional benefits:
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Bridges in Culver City, CA.
Bridges come in four main types.
Using dental bridges to replace missing teeth can improve the appearance of the smile and the functionality of the teeth. The number of teeth that can be replaced depends on the type of bridge and how many healthy natural teeth the patient has retained.
Request an appointment or call Culver City Dental at 310-272-5405 for an appointment in our Culver City office.
Teeth that are severely decayed or fractured may benefit from dental crown, which cover the damaged portions of the teeth, protecting them and restoring their functionality. A dental crown is crafted to fit the remaining portion of the tooth exactly and permanently bond to it. However, crowns are not perfect, and while they are usually…
After tooth decay or oral health concerns develop, prompt and effective treatment from the dentist is often required. A dental crowns is one of the main treatment options dentists recommend to treat a range of oral health and cosmetic issues. A dental crown can improve a tooth's size, shape, and function and last for over…
For patients in need of dental crowns, there are plenty of options available. Two of the most common choices are porcelain crowns and metal crowns (often with a porcelain overlay fused to the metal). Depending on a patient's specific circumstances, one of these crown types may be the preferred option.Metal crowns have the advantage of…
Think you might need a dental filling? Read on to learn more about this treatment. Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health conditions. When untreated, it can result in serious dental problems including tooth loss. Dental fillings restore the structure and function of the affected teeth. Knowing the importance of dental fillings…
Cosmetic dental services might be what you need to improve how your teeth look. These are dental treatments that focus primarily on addressing aesthetic issues that ruin the appearance of teeth, like discoloration, poorly spaced teeth, or damaged teeth. There are typically multiple cosmetic dental services that can be used to address any given problem,…