Is a dental bridge the best option for tooth replacement? Your West Ashley dentist answers

Certain dental procedures are heard about frequently but not often understood. Dr. Andrew Greenberg, who provides restorative and cosmetic dental procedures for patients in West Ashley and the nearby area, says missing teeth are common, but many patients can be confused about the various options to replace teeth.

Losing a tooth, either through extraction or an accident, can affect your dental health, as well as your appearance and your overall wellbeing. First, a missing tooth affects the functionality of your mouth. The little things we don’t think about such as biting, speaking, and eating can become difficult or embarrassing with gaps in your teeth. Additionally, missing teeth can hurt your appearance and your self-esteem. Having a gap in your smile makes many patients self-conscious about smiling and can lead to them hiding their smile, or not smiling as often.

Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth. Unlike partial dentures, dental bridges are permanent and not removable. Additionally, unlike implants they do not require surgery or months of healing time throughout the process. Dental bridges are comprised of two crowns with a pontic (artificial tooth) fused between them. The crowns are placed on the prepared teeth adjacent to the gap (abutment teeth), effectively restoring the function and beauty of your teeth.

Receiving a dental bridge requires only two visits to Dr. Greenberg at Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA. During the first appointment, Dr. Greenberg will prepare the abutment teeth and take impressions. Those impressions will be sent to the lab to create your permanent bridge. This ensures that your replacement tooth fits perfectly and looks great in line with your remaining teeth. He will also place a temporary bridge to provide support and function while the permanent piece is prepared.

Once the bridge is created, you will return to Dr. Greenberg to have the temporary appliance removed and the permanent piece placed. Not only do bridges give you back your beautiful smile, they also give you the ability to speak and chew correctly, they keep the remaining teeth in place, and they provide support to the rest of your teeth and your mouth.

If you can’t decide how you want to replace your missing tooth, call Dr. Greenberg today to schedule an appointment. He will examine your mouth and then recommend the right treatment plan for your unique situation.