While a traditional dental bridge can help restore the look and functions of natural teeth, not everyone qualifies for it. Thankfully, there are other options to replace missing teeth.
If you only have a single healthy tooth that can support prosthetic teeth, a cantilever tooth bridge might be a more suitable option for you. Be sure to consult a dentist to find out if you qualify for one. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more about the treatment.
What is a Cantilever Dental Bridge?
A cantilever bridge is a tooth replacement that can be made from porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM). It consists of artificial teeth or pontics and a dental crown. Like other tooth bridges, it helps improve a person’s ability to bite, chew, and speak.
How Do I Know If I’m A Good Candidate?
Prior to the procedure, dentists will examine the structural integrity of the adjacent teeth. They’ll also check for any signs of decay or other issues that may affect the procedure. This step is crucial to ensure that the surrounding teeth are healthy enough to support the pontics in place.
What Can I Expect During the Procedure?
Before the treatment, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area. And then, the adjacent tooth will be shaped to make sure the prosthetic teeth fit perfectly. This is done by removing a small portion of the enamel (the tooth’s thin outer layer).
After that, your doctor will take impressions of your teeth and identify a suitable shade for the pontic. The results and the data collected will then be sent to a local laboratory where the artificial teeth will be created. Dental clinics that have the proper equipment may also do this in-house. While waiting for the cantilever bridge to be crafted, a temporary replacement will be given by your doctor to protect against sensitivity.
Once the dental bridge is ready, your dentist will check if it needs to be modified. If not, your dentist will proceed to attach the pontics to the adjacent tooth using dental cement before finally polishing your teeth.
Leave Your Teeth in Great Hands!
At Exceptional Dental of LA, you can expect top-notch services from our dental team. We’ll assess your condition and explore different restorative treatments until we find the right fit for you. We offer a wide range of teeth replacement options like bridges, crowns, and dentures. If you have questions or concerns regarding our services, please reach out to us today!
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