How to Protect Your Teeth

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How to Protect Your Teeth

My kids are involved in several different sports, including some that are known for being a bit rough, like hockey and football. I worry about them being injured, but I don’t want to curb their athletic spirit. So I take steps to make certain that they’re as protected as possible. That means protecting their teeth, too. My children’s dentist told me that the best way to protect their teeth was to use custom mouth guards that would keep their teeth safe even in the event of a blow to the mouth. I started this blog to talk about different ways to protect teeth – from mouth guards and dental devices you wear while you sleep, to plain old brushing and flossing. There are many ways to protect your teeth depending on your needs. Find out which one is right for you.

The Process Of Getting A Dental Bridge

Are you missing a tooth that you want to fix? If so, you're likely considering the many ways that it can be done. Implants can be quite expensive, and dentures are too cheap and not reliable. That is why dental bridges may be appealing to you, since they are a midrange solution for a missing tooth. Here is what you need to know about the process of getting a dental bridge.

Determining The Type Of Dental Bridge

Many people have a misconception that a dental bridge can only be used if your missing tooth is between two healthy teeth. This isn't true, even though it is the requirement of a traditional dental bridge. A dentist can also create a cantilever dental bridge, which only uses one healthy tooth to hold it in place. After looking at the placement of the missing tooth, your dentist will determine what type of bridge will work best for your situation.

Contouring The Teeth

Once the dentist determines which teeth will support the dental bridge, the next step will be to contour those teeth so that they can support dental crowns that hold the bridge in place. The process actually involves removing enamel from the teeth, which is an irreversible process, but necessary in order for the dental crowns to fit naturally on the teeth.

A mold is taken of the two contoured teeth, which is used to create your final dental bridge. Until it is ready, you'll be given a temporary dental bridge so that the surfaces of the contoured teeth are safe.

Installing The Bridge

You will need to schedule a second appointment for the final bridge to be installed. Your dentist will secure the bridge in your mouth by using dental cement, which will be strong enough to hold the crowns and the fake tooth in place.

While you will leave the dental office the second time with your finished bridge, it's possible that you'll need to return to have adjustments made. If you feel like your bite is off, with the bridge being too high and disrupting your natural bite, know that you'll have to return to your dentist to fix it. It may involve removing more enamel from your natural teeth to lower the placement of the bridge in your mouth, making it feel more comfortable.

If you have any questions about dental bridge services, be sure to ask the dentist during a consultation to fix your missing tooth.


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