Tooth decay is a serious issue. Aside from the aesthetic problems tooth decay presents, it also puts you at risk for other health problems. If your tooth decay isn’t addressed as quickly as possible, the decay and infection can spread into your tooth, killing it and possibly damaging the surrounding teeth and tissue. At times, this decay gets so bad that your dentist at Savannah Dental Associates has no other choice but to extract it.
Having a tooth extracted can have several different consequences for your oral health and function. Beyond impairing your ability to chew food it can cause a slight slur in your speech. The loss of structure in that area can also cause the neighboring teeth to turn and move to fill the gap.
One of the most effective ways to restore the function and appearance of the lost tooth is to install a bridge. A bridge is single piece of dental work, that looks similar to a series of three crowns that have been fused together into one single unit.
Your Savannah Dental Associates dentist will first form an abutment out of each of the neighboring teeth. This involves removing the majority of enamel layer of each tooth. The post-like abutments will later serve to anchor opposite ends of the bridge.
Your dentist will then take a detailed impression of the abutments, the void and the corresponding teeth in your bite pattern. Later this will be sent to a dental lab where your permanent bridge is crafted. Then a temporary crown is placed over each abutment to protect it.
Later, Savannah Dental Associates will call you back in for a brief second appointment when the dental lab has finished your new bridge. The temporary crowns are removed and your new permanent bridge will be cemented in place over the abutments.
Bridges are a great way to combat the problems posed by tooth decay, and help you prevent any of the other issues that tooth decay causes. If you have a decayed tooth, or lost a tooth and need some sort of replacement, call Savannah Dental Associates at 912-234-5003 to schedule an appointment to explore your restoration options.