Many patients experience tooth loss at some point in their lives. It’s important to know that you should visit your dentist as soon as possible when a tooth goes missing. Missing teeth can cause long-term issues like teeth shifting, gum disease, and an imbalanced bite pattern. Fortunately, dental bridges can replace a missing tooth or many lost teeth.
To help patients from the Fayette County community avoid these long-term issues, Linton Dental provides dental bridges. Dental bridges literally bridge any gaps in your smile using the support of your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth in its place. A dental bridge is an efficient way to restore the aesthetics and functionality of your smile.
Dental Bridges in Peachtree City, GA
Dr. Hannah Voelker, Dr. Brian Linton, and Dr. Frank Rogers are your trusted restorative dentists in Peachtree City, GA. When you are in need of tooth replacement, we can provide you with the services you need to restore your smile. Patients love our dental bridges because they are an efficient and cost-effective method of smile restoration.
Am I a good candidate for dental bridges?
Dental bridges utilize the support of your remaining surrounding teeth. They hold a prosthetic tooth between the gap caused by a missing tooth. They will require some enamel removal of your surrounding teeth to make space for the bridge.
To be a good candidate for a dental bridge, you must have surrounding teeth that are strong enough to support the oral appliance. Dr. Voelker, Dr. Linton, and Dr. Frank Rogers can evaluate your smile and determine if dental bridges are right for you.
What is the difference between a dental implant and a dental bridge?
Dental implants require a surgical component, while dental bridges do not. To get a dental implant, your dentist will place a titanium post beneath your gum tissue and allow your mouth to heal over it. During the healing period, it fuses together with your jawbone. Dental bridges are less invasive, as they do not go beneath your soft tissues or require oral surgery during the application.
How should I care for my dental bridge?
You will need to take care of your dental bridge to ensure it maintains its longevity. Brush your dental bridge at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. You should also visit your dentist for regular check-ups to ensure that the dental bridge stays in good condition.
Dr. Linton, Dr. Voelker, and Dr. Davis will show you how to properly brush and floss around and beneath your dental bridge.
What should you avoid with a dental bridge?
In order to chew hard foods, you need to apply pressure, however this pressure can fracture or ruin the bridge’s structure, prompting the need for a replacement bridge. To help your dental bridge survive longer, you should stay away from items like popcorn kernels, chips, raw carrots, and hard sweets.
Can a bridge be removed and replaced?
If the teeth serving as support for the bridge are still in good shape, it may be possible to remove a loose dental bridge and receil it. The bridge may need to be replaced or repaired if the supporting teeth have developed decay over time.
Do you take a dental bridge out at night?
The dental bridge needs to be taken out each night and kept out of your mouth while you sleep. This gives your teeth, gums, and jaw a time to rest. It also gives you time to clean your teeth and your appliance.
Can a tooth get infected under a bridge?
It may be necessary to repair the bridge if the decay is discovered and treatment is required before it gets to the tooth’s nerve. If the decay gets to the tooth’s nerve, an abscess may form and the tooth may become infected. In this case the bridge would be removed, and a new one would need to be created.