How Can You Restore Your Smile Without Major Surgery
Whether you’re dealing with an existing tooth crack, a broken or decaying tooth, or a missing tooth or several teeth, dental crowns and bridges can restore your smile to its optimal function. When you’re considering a dental crown or bridge, look for a dental specialist in Sarasota Florida who has extensive experience with these treatments and has the training and expertise to help you restore your smile to its fullest functionality.
When you have one or more missing teeth, your bite can change and the surrounding teeth can become weaker. This can cause shifting and misalignment that leads to further problems with your oral health. The best solution to address these issues is a dental bridge.
There are many different types of bridges, each designed to meet your specific needs. Your dentist will determine which type is right for you and explain your options.
Traditional Bridges: These are the most common type of dental bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics. They are usually used in cases where the adjacent teeth on one side of the gap are healthy and strong.
They require the removal of a small amount of enamel from those teeth to create room for the bridge to fit properly. After removing the excess, your dentist will place a temporary bridge to protect the area and wait for the lab to make the final bridge.
The bridge is then bonded to the healthy teeth on each side of the gap. This procedure takes only a few weeks, and once the bridge is in place, you can resume your regular oral hygiene routine.
Traditionally, bridges required the “cutting down” of healthy teeth on the side that had the missing tooth (the abutment teeth) to make space for the bridge. This is a procedure that can be costly and time-consuming, especially if you have several abutment teeth.
Implant-Supported Bridges: These bridges are supported by dental implants, which provide stability and prevent bone loss from occurring on the side where the missing tooth was. They also preserve the integrity of your jawbone and keep your facial muscles healthy.
These bridges are more expensive than traditional bridges and require the removal of a larger amount of enamel from those teeth on the side that had the missing tooth, but they can last for decades with proper care.
They are also more aesthetically pleasing and can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
Gold Alloy Crowns: These crowns are often more resistant to fracturing and wear, which can lead to a loss of the healthy tooth structure underneath. The material is bio compatible and can withstand high levels of pressure.
Base Metal Alloy Crowns: These crowns have a higher resistance to corrosion and a higher strength than the gold alloy crowns, but they don’t provide as much resilience as the noble gold or silver alloy crowns.
Regardless of the type of crown or bridge you choose, your teeth are still your most important assets. To keep your mouth healthy, we recommend that you practice excellent dental hygiene at home and come in regularly for checkups and cleanings. Your dental professional will also give you tips on how to properly care for your crowns and bridges.