Turlock CA Bridges services
If you lose one or several teeth due to trauma or decay, a dental bridge can restore your smile to a healthy, vibrant condition. At VaraniSmile, general dentist Antoine Varani, DDS, uses porcelain fixed bridges to transform smiles and encourage optimal oral health. To make an appointment at the practice in Turlock, California, call the office today or book online.
Bridges Q & A
What are dental bridges?
A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces one (or multiple) permanent teeth. If you lose a tooth after a blow to the mouth, extractions, or a cavity, a dental bridge can reduce the risk of more serious issues. What’s more, it makes daily activities like biting and chewing much easier.
Why would I need a dental bridge?
If you lose one or more permanent teeth, you’re more likely to experience gum recession, bone loss, and shifting teeth. These and other issues can cause:
- Bite problems
- Chewing difficulties
- Persistent jaw or facial pain
- Poor oral hygiene
Missing teeth can also affect your facial features. A dental bridge restores structure to your jaw, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
How do dental bridges work?
There are several types of dental bridges, but VaraniSmile typically recommends porcelain fixed bridges. Porcelain fixed dental bridges have two main components:
Pontics
A pontic is an artificial tooth. Most dental bridges have a single pontic, but they can also be used to replace several teeth in a row.
Crowns
To prevent the bridge from shifting, your VaraniSmile provider bonds dental crowns to the two teeth on either side of the gap in your smile.
What does getting bridges involve?
At VaraniSmile, getting a dental bridge takes two visits.
First bridges visit
To determine if you might benefit from a bridge, your VaraniSmile provider conducts an oral exam. If you’re missing one (or several) teeth and your gums are healthy, your provider takes digital impressions of your mouth. Then, they fill the gap with a temporary bridge to prevent tooth decay or your surrounding teeth from shifting.
Your provider sends your impressions to a dental facility that manufactures a custom bridge. When it’s ready, you return to VaraniSmile.
Second bridges visit
Your VaraniSmile provider administers a local anesthetic, removes the temporary bridge, and replaces it with the permanent one. Afterward, they polish your teeth and provide you with at-home care instructions.
How long do bridges last?
Bridges usually last 12-15* years, but it’s possible to extend their use with preventive dentistry and good oral hygiene. VaraniSmile recommends:
- Flossing your teeth
- Brushing two times a day
- Not chewing on pen caps, ice cubes, or other hard objects
- Protecting your bridge with a mouthguard or night guard
In addition, try to visit VaraniSmile once every six months for professional teeth cleaning and an oral exam.
To explore the benefits of dental bridges, make an appointment at VaraniSmile by calling the office or clicking the online scheduler today.
*Individual results may vary.
