Effects of Tooth Loss
Salem, OR
 Tooth loss has many causes, including issues such as gum disease and facial trauma. In some cases, one or more teeth may need to be extracted due to damage or decay. No matter how you lose a tooth, a missing tooth can change your whole life. At Fairmount Dental Center, we can replace your missing tooth with a porcelain dental bridge.
What Happens When I Lose a Tooth?
Tooth loss has several significant effects, all of which affect your entire life:
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Depending upon the location of a missing tooth, it can affect the quality of your smile.
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Your confidence plummets.
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It becomes more difficult to bite and chew.
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Your digestion, and overall nutrition, are impacted.
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You are at an increased risk for gum disease and tooth damage.
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You may develop a lisp or have other speech difficulties.
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Your jawbone begins to change shape, which can cause your healthy teeth to shift out of alignment which throws off your bite. |
Bridging the Gap
A bridge is a dental restoration that essentially bridges the space left behind between two healthy teeth. It can be used to replace as few as one, and as many as three, missing teeth. There are several bridges, including Maryland or resin, bonded, cantilever, and fixed. Fixed bridges are the most frequently used. A fixed bridge is a single unit. Your replacement or pontic, the tooth, is set between two dental crowns. The crowns are set onto your adjacent healthy teeth, referred to as abutment teeth. The bridge is cemented into place on the abutment teeth, keeping it securely in place.
Our bridges are made of porcelain. This material blends in perfectly with the color of your natural teeth, and even reflects light like enamel. Your restoration not only restores the functions of your missing tooth, but it also restores your smile, and your confidence as well.
Getting Your Porcelain Bridge
The process for getting a porcelain bridge requires two separate appointments. During your first appointment, we need to prepare the abutment teeth. This process involves removing a portion of the enamel from each tooth, reducing them in size. This is necessary for ensuring a proper fit in with the rest of your mouth. After the teeth are prepared, an impression is taken. The impression is then sent to our dental lab.
The lab uses your impressions to design and create your custom porcelain bridge. It can take up to two weeks for the bridge to be completed and sent back, so a temporary bridge is placed to protect your abutment teeth.
When your porcelain bridge is ready, you will return for your second appointment. At this appointment, we check your new bridge to ensure that it fits, is comfortable, and blends in with the color of the rest of your natural teeth. If it looks and feels good, it is cemented into place.
Porcelain Bridge Benefits
Porcelain bridges offer several benefits including:
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You can bite and chew normally again.
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Your speech is restored.
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Improved oral health.
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Improved digestion and nutrition.
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Porcelain provides a beautiful restoration, giving you back your smile.
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Your confidence is restored. |
Even if you are missing just a single tooth and it cannot be seen when you smile, that missing tooth can still significantly affect your life. With a porcelain bridge, we can restore your oral health, the functions of your mouth, and your quality of life. Call Fairmount Dental Center today at (503) 362-8364 for more information.
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