Dental Bridges: What Are They?

Replacing missing teeth is important because teeth not only help us chew, but they help us speak and are a large part of our facial structure. One option for tooth replacement Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS offers here in her Holmdel, NJ dental practice is the dental bridge.

A dental bridge is quite literal to its name. It is a restoration that bridges the gap between teeth. Bridges work by attaching a replacement tooth, called a pontic, to two crowns on either side. The crowns are placed on the teeth that are adjacent to the open space. The pontic sits right in the middle where the missing tooth once was. Bridge may also be made for teeth that are missing with only one tooth adjacent to it, like in cases where the last molar is missing.

Dental bridges are able to be made to look just like your natural teeth, so no one will be able to tell the difference when you smile. We can take an impression of the open space and the adjacent teeth so that a dental laboratory can create a custom bridge. The adjacent teeth are first prepared, so the impression is taken after the teeth are reshaped for the crowns. While the custom bridge is being prepared, you will wear a temporary bridge. After the custom bridge is ready, it is permanently bonded into place. A bridge can last for over ten years with good care.

If you are missing a tooth, it is important to replace it. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Tooth Restoration Options in Holmdel, NJ

Restoring teeth keeps them functioning as they should and able to last for a long time. For minor issues, or large restorations, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD in Holmdel, NJ offers several options.

Dental bonding is great for fillings, chip, and cracks. The material is a composite resin that is selected to match your teeth, unlike silver amalgam fillings of the past. Bonding is durable, so with good care, it can last for many years.

Dental crowns are available for when there is a little more damage than bonding can cover. The tooth is reshaped and a “cap”, the crown, is placed on the tooth. The crown is made to look just like your teeth, so it blends right in. This restores a tooth to its strength and allows proper function again.

When teeth are in too bad of shape to be restored with missing adjoining teeth, a dental bridge is a popular option for replacement. A replacement tooth is attached to healthy teeth for a stable hold. A bridge can also be made to blend right in with your natural teeth.

For a permanent replacement option, dental implants do the trick. With good care, they can last for a lifetime. They are surgically inserted into your jawbone so they are the most like your natural teeth.

If you are in need of a restoration, trust the expertise of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD. To schedule an appointment in our Holmdel, NJ practice, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Bridge the Gap

If you have had a tooth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position. When this happens, your teeth become more susceptible to disease and decay. Dr. Dipika Shah can help you keep your smile beautiful and functional with dental bridges.

Called a bridge because it literally creates a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing, this prosthetic tooth replacement is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than a decade if properly cared for.

The process of creating a bridge takes two visits to our office. In the first, we will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your missing tooth. This is where the bridge will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge will consist of two crowns, which will be fixed to the abutments, and a pontic, which is the prosthetic that will replace your missing tooth. We provide you with a temporary bridge while your permanent one is crafted in the lab. On the second visit, the permanent bridge will be fixed to the abutments with an adhesive.

To schedule an appointment at our office in Holmdel, NJ, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.