Learn more about the process of creating and placing dental bridges with San Francisco, CA, dentist
A missing tooth can impact even the most beautiful smile, but with the assistance of our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Leo Arellano, patients can have their beauty restored using a dental bridge. The dental bridge is a restoration that is made of natural-looking, tooth-colored porcelain that can provide seamless replacement of a lost or extracted tooth regardless of cause. The entire process from start-to-finish keeps patients from experiencing the struggles of tooth loss for an extended period.
What is a dental bridge?
Dr. Leo Arellano describes the dental bridge as a special dental device that is used to fill a space that is left behind from a tooth that has been removed or fallen out. It consists of a pontic (false tooth) attached to surrounding abutments (dental crowns). The final restoration is then bonded into the mouth, using the dental crowns to do so.
What happens if I don’t replace my teeth?
Avoiding tooth replacement can cause other problems within the smile. Without using a dental bridge or other restoration such as a dental implant or partial denture, the existing teeth can shift due to the space left behind from the natural tooth. This can lead to bite misalignment issues that can cause jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder and unwanted wear and tear on the existing, natural teeth. Additionally, missing teeth can cause patients to experience difficulty properly chewing and digesting food or speaking clearly.
What is the process of obtaining a dental bridge?
- Consultation – patients schedule an initial evaluation to determine candidacy for a dental bridge
- Preparation – the adjacent teeth are prepared with natural enamel removal
- Impressions – the dentist will take a mold of the prepared teeth
- Laboratory – the dentist sends the impressions to a dental laboratory for the creation of the dental bridge
- Placement – once the dental bridge is complete and arrives at the dental office, patients come in for the final bonding of their new restoration
Discuss the advantages of dental bridges with Dr. Leo Arellano today!
If you are considering dental bridges for your smile to replace one or more missing teeth, and want to work with an experienced dentist in the San Francisco, CA area, we welcome you to book a consultation appointment with our staff. We can be reached at 415-881-4343 to request a visit with our front office team. We are conveniently located at 3030 Geary Boulevard.