Tooth Loss
Few incidents have greater impact on dental health and personal appearance than tooth loss. When one or more teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can drift out of position, which can lead to a change in the bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay and gum disease.
Tooth Bridges
When tooth loss occurs, your dentist may recommend the placement of a tooth bridge, or dental bridge. When placing a bridge, the teeth on both sides of the space are covered with crowns (caps), and an artificial tooth (pontic) is attached to the crowns.
The Procedure
Initially, the dentist prepares teeth on each side of the space to receive crowns and makes an impression of the entire area. Then, the dentist fits a temporary or transitional bridge made out of plastic or metal. In a subsequent visit, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge then place, adjust and cement the fixed bridge.
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