Dental Bridges: A time tested tooth replacement solution in Thibodaux, LA
Why is it so important to replace missing teeth? Gaps do more than spoil your smile. They allow other teeth to go crooked, increasing risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Missing teeth also have a negative impact on bite, diet, and speech. For many years, dental bridges have been used to correct the problem. At Acadia Family Dentistry in Thibodaux LA, Dr. Nhu Le brings modern materials and techniques into the process to improve smiles from Thibodaux LA and nearby communities of Houma, Labadieville, Schriever, Raceland and Gray.
What is a bridge?
As you might guess from the name, this dental prosthetic bridges the space between remaining teeth. It consists of an artificial tooth or several in succession, with crowns at each end. Crowns are cemented to prepared teeth or dental implants to stabilize the unit.
Though sometimes called a “removable dental bridge,” a partial denture cannot provide the security and comfort of a fixed bridge.
Dental bridges – a precise process in Thibodaux, LA
For a traditional bridge, at least two appointments are necessary:
- At the first, the treatment area is numbed, and anchor teeth are prepared by reducing and shaping tooth structure to hold crowns.
- Dr. Nhu Le takes impressions of your mouth and then uses this information to design the bridge and plan how it will be affixed.
- Instructions go to a dental laboratory where the bridge is fabricated, usually of porcelain.
- Meanwhile, anchor teeth are protected with temporary restorations.
- You return in several weeks to have the interim crowns removed, and the permanent dental bridge cemented in place.
- A zirconia implant bridge may be recommended for upper or lower bridge teeth. Just a few dental implants are placed to hold a full arch of teeth securely.
Replacing missing teeth can improve your dental health and give you more confidence in your smile. Dental implants are the “gold standard” for individual tooth replacement. However, bridges still make good sense for many patients who are not implant candidates or who want to avoid an oral surgery procedure.
Call Acadia Family Dentistry at (985) 303-2920 to learn about options for affordable dental bridge work
