Vienna & Tysons Corner Dental Bridges
Dental health is a collaborative effort. After tooth loss, a dental bridge may be required to support proper bite alignment and a more functional, beautiful smile.
Have you lost one or more teeth from a dental trauma, disease or tooth decay? When your smile is incomplete, your dental health and self esteem suffers. At Priti Naik DDS, Dr. Naik uses dental bridges to restore incomplete smiles to their naturally beautiful look, feel and function. Give us a call at 703-288-1800 to schedule your consultation!
Why Do i need a Dental bridge?
After tooth loss, it can feel embarrassing to have a smile that doesn’t feel like your own. But not only can a gapped smile put a damper on your confidence, it can also put your dental health at risk. After losing a tooth, remaining adjacent teeth may shift or move and your risks for gum disease or further loss of teeth increases. When your bite changes, your face shape changes and can appear droopy or aged. Without a dental crown, dental implant or other restorative treatment, uneven pressure is placed on remaining teeth and harmful conditions such as jaw pain or a disorder known as TMJ pain (TMD) can occur over time. For best treatment after tooth loss, schedule a consultation with your local dentist in Tysons to discuss your options for a dental bridge.
What is a Dental bridge?
Dental bridges (removable or a fixed partial dentures) are a popular form of dental restoration that fills the space between one or more missing teeth for a better functioning and more aesthetically pleasant smile. These advanced dental prosthetics attach to strong anchor teeth to resemble your natural, full smile. With a fixed or removable dental bridge, patients effectively restore their bite and face shape with a smile that looks and feels natural.
what type of bridge is right for me?
At your appointment for a dental bridge, Dr. Naik is able to custom-design your bridge for your specific needs. For many patients a removable partial denture is ideal, and for others a fixed partial denture may be desired. During your appointment, a highly detailed impression of your teeth is taken to create custom pontics (replacement teeth) and dental crowns or “caps” that will cover the adjacent teeth to hold the bridge in place. They are then securely attached into place with a strong dental cement. When a removable dental bridge is made, small metal clasps are used to attach to adjacent teeth.
dental implants vs. dental bridges
Have you considered a dental implant to restore your smile after losing one or more teeth? Dental implants offer a unique advantage to dental restoration services in that these strong titanium implants fuse permanently into the jawbone to behave in the same way as a healthy, strong tooth root. Not only do they prevent or reduce rapid bone loss in the jaw after the loss of one or more teeth, but they attach to permanent dental crowns for a smile that is strong and natural looking for up to a lifetime with proper care. Give us a call at 703-288-1800 to find out more about dental implants at Priti Naik DDS!
Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?
Yes. Dental bridges look very natural. Nobody will be able to tell that you are wearing a dental prosthetic, and your smile will look just like it did before you lost your tooth. This is because dental bridges are made out of durable, tooth-like porcelain ceramic materials.
Porcelain is an ideal choice for bridges because it’s very similar to natural tooth enamel in hardness, color, and translucence. When planning your crown procedure, Dr. Priti Naik will determine the exact shade of your teeth, and select a porcelain material that will match your existing teeth perfectly.
In addition, dental bridges look and feel natural because they are securely and permanently bonded to your teeth. When preparing your teeth for a bridge, your healthy teeth will be trimmed, and then each one will receive a tooth-shaped dental crown, which will be bonded in place with a strong dental cement.
Along with a metal framework, these crowns support your bridge, and prevent it from shifting or moving. A dental bridge is much more secure than a partial denture, and never has to be removed unless it needs to be repaired or replaced.
You can care for your bridges similarly to natural teeth, too. You’ll brush twice a day for at least two minutes, and brush your bridge normally. You’ll also need to floss between the bridge and your gums to remove bacteria and food particles, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria in your mouth.
Overall, bridges look, feel, and function just like real teeth, making them a great alternative to both dental implants and partial dentures.
The Dental Bridge Procedure: What To Expect
The dental bridge procedure typically takes at least two appointments after your initial consultation. At your first appointment, your teeth will need to be trimmed and prepared for dental bridges. Dr. Priti Naik will begin by cleaning your mouth and numbing the treatment area to keep you comfortable. You can be sedated during this process, if you wish.
Then, Dr. Naik will use a dental drill to remove a thin layer of enamel from two of your teeth. These are the “abutment teeth” next to your missing tooth. They will be capped with crowns to support the dental bridge, so they must be trimmed to accommodate these crowns. Next, Dr. Naik will take impressions of your teeth using dental putty and trays.
These impressions will be sent to a dental lab where your bridge will be built. This will take 2-3 weeks, so Dr. Naik will apply temporary crowns to your trimmed teeth to protect them, and send you home until your bridge arrives at our office.
Once your bridge arrives at the office of Dr. Priti Naik, you’ll come back for your final appointment. Dr. Naik will remove your temporary crowns and clean your teeth. Then, she will check the fit of your bridge to make sure it looks good and fits perfectly. Finally, Dr. Naik will attach the bridge to your abutment teeth using powerful dental cement, and buff and polish it to complete the procedure.
your appointment for Dental bridges in Tysons
Whether you are tired of speaking with a lisp or have had difficulty chewing your meals after losing one or more teeth, our services with dental bridges in Vienna are uniquely designed to respond to your dental needs. We look forward to helping patients in our community lead healthier lives with smiles that are strong and maintained to last. If it’s time to regain control of your smile and confidence, give us a call at 703-288-1800 to schedule your appointment.