Revolutionizing Dental Restoration: Your Guide to Biologic Porcelain Bridges
Maintaining a complete set of healthy teeth is essential for overall health. It promotes many vital functions, from proper chewing and nutrition to clear speech that supports and exudes confidence as well as a positive self-image. As biologic and holistic dentistry providers, Owens Dental Berthoud prioritizes preserving natural teeth. However, when a tooth cannot be “saved,” it is essential to explore options for its replacement right away. These options include functional and durable biocompatible dental bridges.
Why do I have to replace missing teeth so fast?
There are numerous complications associated with tooth loss. Partly, the remaining teeth tend to shift toward the gap left by the missing tooth. Even patients who never had crowded or crooked teeth may now deal with misalignment and bite-related problems requiring further restorative dentistry treatment. Also, when teeth are not replaced quickly, a destructive process of bone loss can take hold that can further limit restorative options.
What is bone loss?
Also known as “bone resorption,” the loss of supportive bony tissue in the jaw may be compared to what happens to our muscles after a period of inactivity. Those muscles can shrink. The same thing happens with the jawbone; when a tooth is lost, the bone no longer has the stimulation it needs from functions like chewing food. In turn, it can lose its density and strength. When this happens, your face loses its support and structure, and your skin and muscles follow suit. The lower portion of the face may collapse, causing you to look far older than you are and have functional problems with eating or speech.
How do bridges prevent these complications?
Bridges are a well-established type of tooth replacement. They fill in the gap where a tooth used to be. They restore the attractive appearance of your smile and prevent teeth from shifting. Additionally, they promote lasting health and function, allowing you to continue enjoying day-to-day activities and a regular diet. Some bridges are also designed to retain bone density and strength.
How do you “design” a bridge?
There are many different types of bridges. The “standard” conventional kind involves at least one replacement tooth being fused to two dental crowns. The crowns are applied to the teeth that are nearest to the gap. Once secured in place, the dental bridge is anchored by these crowned neighboring teeth. Bridges may also be held in place by dental implants. Functioning like tooth roots, implants connect to and stabilize the bridge in the jaw. They may also be used to hold a crown or denture in place. Since implants are connected to the jaw, the bone retains its strength due to the stimulation from the attached prosthetic teeth. Bone loss is stopped or prevented.
The process of designing a bridge starts with a consultation with Dr. Owens, going over the desired look and function of your new bridge. Once the right treatment is chosen, we will take a 3D scan of your mouth and create a visual mockup of the bridge. After the doctor and patient approve the look and fit of the temporary bridge, the permanent restoration gets sent off to our trusted lab partners to craft a beautiful shade-matched solution.
What makes bridges at Owens Dental Berthoud different?
You benefit from the expertise of a leading authority in biologic dentistry, Dr. Tim Owens. He has meticulously selected each material, technology, product, and technique for its biocompatibility, safety, and quality. You can trust that our bridges, made from tissue-friendly, strong, and aesthetically appealing porcelain, will be made to last! Serving Northern CO and beyond, our team can be reached at (970) 444-5464 with more specific questions.
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.
