The benefits of a customized dental bridge will offset the cost from your Asheville dentist

We have teeth for more than the simple purpose of chewing. Teeth also support clear speech, as well as facial structure. Without teeth, the face would sink in, resulting in an aged appearance. Having an attractive smile is not a luxury; it’s your right. This facial feature is important to your professional success, personal interactions, and confidence. The loss of a permanent tooth or teeth should be dealt with properly and promptly. The benefit of a custom-made dental bridge is well worth the initial cost to our Asheville area patients.

Tooth loss needs to be taken seriously, for the above factors as well as for oral health. Replacing a lost tooth preserves the attractiveness of your smile, limits the impact of oral bacteria, and maintains proper jaw function for chewing. The dental bridge is an excellent form of tooth-replacement, with proven success for many years. By using a dental bridge, your dentist is able to achieve a number of goals, including:

• Preserve optimal bite function by preventing the shifting of remaining teeth.
• Facilitate optimal speaking and chewing function.
• Maintain attractiveness of the smile.
• Ensure the proper distribution of bite force among all teeth.
• Preservation of support for facial structure.

The standard dental bridge is fixed, comprised of two dental crowns and one or more artificial teeth, called pontics. Both crowns and the artificial tooth are custom-made to maintain proper bite and a natural appearance. A dental bridge is typically completed in two office visits, with the first appointment preparing teeth for their new appliance. After the tooth on each side of the space is modified to accommodate a well-fitting dental crown, impressions are made and sent as a guide to the dental laboratory. Before leaving our office, temporary crowns are placed.

Over the next several days, our dental lab uses the impressions of your teeth to create the bridge appliance, with the artificial tooth or teeth fused between the two dental crowns. When completed, the bridge is sent to our office, ready for placement. Your new dental bridge will be assessed for fit and the crowns cemented into place on the anchor teeth. In between, the artificial tooth or teeth will sit on top of gum tissue in the space. With the strength of anchor teeth, the entire bridge is durable enough to withstand chewing and biting. Most dental bridges will last ten years or more with proper care and regular dental visits.

A lost tooth does not have to impact your smile. Contact us for your dental bridge.