1. Traditional Dental Bridge – The most common type, a traditional bridge involves creating crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and placing a pontic between them.
2. Cantilever Bridge – Used when there’s only one natural tooth next to the missing tooth.
3. Maryland Bonded Bridge – Made of porcelain or plastic teeth supported by a metal framework, this option uses metal or porcelain wings on either side to bond to the back of the supporting teeth.
4. Implant-Supported Bridge – Instead of being supported by crowns or frameworks, this type uses dental implants to secure the bridge in place.
   

Why Would You Need a Dental Bridge?
There are several reasons why a patient might need a dental bridge, and they go beyond just wanting a complete smile. Here are a few of the most important:
Restoring Functionality
Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat your favorite foods. A dental bridge allows you to chew and speak more comfortably and naturally.
Preventing Teeth from Shifting
When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth can begin to drift into the empty space, leading to misalignment. A dental bridge helps keep your teeth in their proper position, preventing the need for more extensive orthodontic treatments later.
Maintaining Your Facial Structure
Teeth play a crucial role in supporting your facial structure. When teeth are missing, it can cause your face to appear sunken or older. A dental bridge helps maintain the shape of your face by supporting your jaw and cheeks.
Improving Aesthetic Appearance
Gaps in your smile can make you feel self-conscious. Dental bridges provide a seamless, natural-looking solution, boosting your confidence and enhancing your smile.
The Process of Getting a Dental Bridge
Getting a dental bridge typically requires two visits. During the first appointment, our dental team will prepare the surrounding teeth by reshaping them to accommodate the crowns. Impressions are then taken to create a custom bridge that fits perfectly in your mouth. While you wait for your permanent bridge, a temporary bridge is placed. In your second visit, the permanent bridge is fitted, adjusted, and secured in place.

Ready to Restore Your Smile?
If you’re dealing with missing teeth, a dental bridge could be the solution you’ve been searching for. At Highland Woods Dentistry in London, we offer personalized treatment plans to give you a healthy, beautiful smile that restores both function and confidence.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation, at (519) 668-7574, and learn more about how dental bridges can improve your oral health!

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Why Replacing Missing Teeth is Crucial

1. Preventing Bone Loss

One of the most critical reasons to replace missing teeth is to prevent bone loss. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in the empty space deteriorates due to lack of stimulation. Dental implants, one of the most popular replacement options, help to maintain bone density because they mimic the root of the tooth and provide the necessary stimulation to the jawbone.

2. Maintaining Proper Alignment

Teeth play a crucial role in keeping each other in proper alignment. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space, causing misalignment. This can lead to bite problems and increase the risk of developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. By replacing the missing tooth, you can maintain the alignment of your teeth and prevent these issues.

3. Improving Functionality

Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew food properly, which can affect your digestion and overall nutrition. Speech can also be impacted, especially if the missing teeth are in the front. Replacing missing teeth restores full functionality, allowing you to eat and speak without difficulty.

4. Enhancing Aesthetics and Confidence

A complete set of teeth enhances your smile and boosts your confidence. Gaps from missing teeth can cause self-consciousness and reluctance to smile or speak in public. Dental restorations like bridges, implants, and dentures can fill these gaps and restore your natural appearance.

Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

1. Dental Implants

Dental implants are a popular and long-lasting solution. They consist of a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, which acts as a root for the artificial tooth. A crown is then attached to the post. Implants look and feel like natural teeth and can last a lifetime with proper care.

2. Dental Bridges

A dental bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth anchored by crowns on the adjacent natural teeth. Bridges are a good option if the teeth next to the gap are healthy and can support the bridge. They are less invasive than implants and can be a quicker solution.

3. Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace several missing teeth or a full arch. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and can restore both appearance and functionality. While they may require some adjustment time, modern dentures are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before.

Replacing missing teeth is not just about aesthetics; it’s about maintaining your oral health and overall well-being. If you’re dealing with missing teeth, don’t wait to seek treatment. Schedule a consultation with our dental team at Highland Woods Dentistry in London, today to explore the best replacement options for your needs. Let us help you restore your smile and improve your quality of life! Contact us now, by calling (519) 668-7574, to book your appointment.

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If you are missing multiple teeth, there’s a good chance that dental bridges have come up when discussing tooth replacement options with your dentist in London. Just as the name implies, dental bridges act like a bridge, holding artificial teeth in place in the gap left by missing teeth. 

What is a dental bridge? 

A dental bridge is a permanent solution for patients who are missing one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges have two main components – abutment teeth and pontics. The abutment teeth are the teeth alongside the gap where the dental bridge attaches. The dental bridge also has pontics, which are the artificial teeth that are replacing the natural teeth that are missing.

A dental bridge is usually installed by affixing either end to a crown that’s been installed onto the abutment teeth. To ensure they fit perfectly, dental bridges are custom made to fit your mouth.

How are dental bridges made?

When you are fit for a dental bridge, your dentist in South London and team will take impressions to create a mold of your mouth. That mold is then sent away to a lab that specializes in making dental appliances like dentures, crowns, and bridges. It can take days, and sometimes even weeks, for the custom-made appliance to be completed, so your dentist will often provide you with a temporary bridge to wear while you wait.

Who is eligible for dental bridges? 

The most common cause of tooth loss is gum disease, and dental bridges are a permanent solution for missing teeth. To be eligible for a dental bridge, a patient must have teeth on either side of the gap that are healthy enough to support the bridge. If you do not have healthy abutment teeth, other tooth replacement options like dentures or implants will be discussed.

Why do I need a bridge? 

While there are other tooth replacement options to consider, it is extremely important to have any missing teeth replaced as soon as possible. Gaps between the teeth leave room for other teeth to shift around, which could cause misalignment throughout your teeth and mouth, and even impact the strength of your jaw bone and facial structure.

If you are missing one or more teeth and are ready to take some action, call the team at Highland Woods Dentistry in London today. We’ll schedule an appointment to assess your current situation and discuss whether a dental bridge is the right treatment option for you.

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Dental bridges are a dental restoration procedure that helps replace missing teeth. Rather than being directly implanted into your jaw, dental bridges use adjacent natural teeth as anchors. If you are unsure if a dental bridge will solve your problem with missing teeth, please consult your dentist or book an appointment for a dental examination. 

The staff at Highland Woods Dentistry is equipped to answer any of your inquiries and help you discover the most appropriate solution to your dental restoration needs.

What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a permanent dental prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are typically created by an artificial tooth being fused between 2 dental crowns. The bridge will span the area of your mouth that has no teeth. 

A dental bridge is fastened in your mouth by being firmly held in place by your natural teeth on each side of the area that is missing teeth. Dental bridges can also sometimes be held in by dental implants.

When Are Dental Bridges Required?

Dental bridges are an option to replace a missing tooth or teeth. You may require a tooth extraction if your teeth have sustained a substantial impact or damage. If a tooth that has been damaged cannot be repaired, it most likely will need to be replaced by using a dental bridge or dental implant.

A dental bridge may also need to be implemented if a tooth has been subject to severe tooth decay. If the tooth has decayed past the point of being able to be repaired, a dental implant or dental bridge can be used to replace the decayed tooth after it has been removed.

The Difference Between Dental Bridges & Dental Implants

A dental bridge is held in place by the surrounding natural teeth on both sides of the area with missing teeth. A single dental bridge can also be used to replace multiple missing teeth in one area of the mouth.

Dental implants are artificial roots made of titanium that become implanted into the jaw to replace the natural roots of a missing tooth. An artificial tooth or teeth can then be attached to the dental implants and held in place similarly to a natural tooth. 

How Dental Bridges Are Done

First, it needs to be determined whether or not you have healthy enough teeth on either side of the area with missing teeth to sufficiently hold the bridge in place. If you have 2 healthy teeth that can support the bridge, they will be filed down and prepared for the bridge. If your teeth are not healthy enough, or you do not have enough teeth to support the bridge, you may need to get 1 or more dental implants to act as an anchor for the bridge.

Once your teeth have been prepared for the bridge, your dentist will make a model of your teeth by taking impressions and creating a mold of your teeth. The mold will be used to make the artificial tooth/teeth and the 2 crowns that make up a dental bridge. While your permanent bridge is being made, you will be provided with a temporary bridge to protect your mouth until your second appointment.

Once your permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will call you into our office to remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent bridge into your mouth. The crowns of the bridge will either be cemented to your natural teeth or your dental implants beside the area with missing teeth.D

Types of Dental Bridges

Traditional Bridges

This type of bridge is used when there are natural teeth on both sides of the area where teeth are missing. In some cases, your dentist may recommend getting a dental implant instead of a bridge to prevent you from having to alter your natural teeth through filing and preparation for the bridge.

Implanted Bridges

An implant bridge is used if the surrounding teeth of the treatment area are not healthy enough to support a bridge or do not have the necessary amount of teeth required to support a traditional bridge. These bridges are held in place by dental implants rather than natural teeth.

Resin-Bonded Bridges

This type of bridge can sometimes be used when the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are pristine. There is very minimal preparation to the supporting teeth, and the metal bands of the bridge are bonded to the back of natural teeth.

Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever dental bridges can occasionally be used to replace a front tooth where there are minimal chewing forces. With a cantilever bridge, only one of the adjacent teeth is used to support the artificial tooth.

Finding the Right Dental Bridge For You

If you are unsure of what dental bridge is appropriate for your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to come into our office for an examination. The team of professionals at Highland Woods Dentistry can consult with you on if a dental bridge is an appropriate solution for your needs, and can help discern what type of dental bridge you may require.

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