At Li Family Dental, we offer many options for tooth replacement. We believe replacing a lost tooth is very important to your overall dental health as even a single lost tooth can cause many issues. The dental bridges Etobicoke patients can discuss with our team offer an excellent solution that looks and feels natural.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges offer a permanent tooth replacement that can be used for a single tooth or a string of missing teeth. There are fixed and implant bridges available, both offering an excellent alternative to partial dentures. Bridges are permanently affixed either by post or cement, providing the most natural look and healthiest bite.
The replacement teeth are made of a stain-resistant material that looks very natural. They are long lasting and sturdy to avoid issues such as chipping and breaking.
How Are Replacement Teeth Crafted?
Our dental office uses Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) crowns to craft your replacement teeth onsite. CEREC allows us to create beautifully crafted crowns for a perfect fit and natural look that can be inserted in just one appointment.
At your appointment, we will create a 3D impression of your mouth using a small camera to take precise measurements that we feed to our milling system. After your new teeth are crafted, we will apply the right tone and glaze for a perfect match to your natural teeth. Once complete, your new artificial teeth are ready for your bridge.
What Are Bridge Implants?
Bridge implants secure artificial teeth to the jaw using titanium posts. The posts are implanted into the jaw, forming a strong bond that is very close to the support provided by the natural roots of your teeth. Bridge implants are an excellent solution when you have a string of missing teeth. There are many benefits to bridge implants, including:
- A natural look
- A strong, natural bite
- Lasts for decades
- Prevents shifting of other teeth
- The post prevents bone deterioration as it stimulates the jaw like natural roots
Bridge implants are not suitable for patients with gum disease or a weakening jaw bone.
How Are Bridge Implants Inserted?
Following a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for implants, we will set up your implant insertion appointment. At this appointment, we make an incision in the gums to access the jaw bone. The implants are then inserted at either side of the gap. It will take a few months for a strong bond to form between the posts and your jaw bone. During this time, you will also allow your mouth to heal.
Once the bond is formed, an abutment is inserted, providing the connection between your implants and your artificial teeth. In some cases, both the posts and the abutment can be inserted in one appointment. Your artificial tooth is crafted using our CEREC system and then is attached to the abutment.
What Are Fixed Bridges?
A fixed bridge is affixed to the teeth on either side of your gap. They are just as natural looking as bridge implants, but do not provide the same bite and bone stimulation provided by the titanium posts.
How Are Fixed Bridges Inserted?
Impressions and images are first taken of your mouth using our digital system. Every effort is made to match your existing teeth. Our CEREC system will then mill your teeth, and we will perform the colour-matching and glazing and then ensure the fit is correct before cementing them to your adjacent teeth.
Why Do I Need to Replace Missing Teeth?
Your teeth work together to provide proper mouth function and bite. They also provide support for each other. Once a gap is left from a lost tooth, it will cause your teeth to begin falling toward the gap. That can result in many problems, including:
- Difficulty with eating and speaking
- Crooked teeth
- Less appealing smile
- Painful and damaging bite issues
- A weakening of tooth structure due to shifting with potential tooth loss
- Occlusal trauma
Our team will discuss your options and make a recommendation based on the dental bridges best suited for your situation. We will also provide the costs involved for each option.
To book an appointment with our team to discuss dental bridges in Etobicoke, please call 416-232-2033.