A Tooth Lost to Severe Decay Might Need a Dental Bridge

When the natural bacteria in your mouth exploit an area of weakened tooth enamel, it can cause tooth decay. When this happens, the resulting cavity can quickly spread to compromise a vast area. Sometimes the tooth decay can be so severe that the tooth fractures or is lost. When this happens, your dentists might need to extract the tooth to prevent further complications.
When you’re ready, we can help you get a better understanding of your restoration options. One of the most effective ways to restore the lost tooth is with a dental bridge. A dental bridge in Lincoln, Nebraska, is essentially two crowns fused together with an artificial tooth in the middle. It is mounted on a pair of abutments that are formed by the two closest neighboring teeth.
It often takes two separate appointments to completely install a new bridge. The dentists will examine the two neighboring teeth to make sure they are completely healthy.
Then, they will use a drill to remove the tooth enamel from each tooth. This creates a pair of abutments that will later anchor your bridge.
A detailed impression will be made of the area. This will be sent to a dental lab where your new bridge will be made. Finally, hard, plastic, temporary crowns will be secured over each abutment to protect them.
A member of our staff will call you to schedule your second appointment when the dental lab technician has completed your new bridge. The temporary crowns will be removed and your new bridge will be cemented into place.
If you have lost a tooth, you should call Pine Ridge Dental at 402-423-1100 to have your dentists examine and treat it to prevent further complications.