Losing a tooth can destabilize the health and function of your smile. Because the bone that had supported the tooth is no longer needed, the body begins absorbing it shortly after the tooth is lost. This can lead to the jawbone becoming thinner and narrower in that area. The other teeth may begin to shift and tilt into the gap left by the tooth, which can cause misalignments. Over time, you may be more susceptible to dental problems such as TMJ disorder, tooth decay, and other issues. Our Torrance porcelain fixed bridges dentist can help.
A fixed dental bridge is a type of restoration that replaces the lost tooth with a pontic, or artificial, tooth, and is supported by two dental crowns attached to “anchor teeth”, which are next to the gap. Dr. Mondavi can typically place a bridge in two dental visits. At the first visit, your anchor teeth will be prepared, and your bridge will be designed. The preparation process is done under local anesthetic. Some of the enamel will be removed to create space for the crowns. For the best results, these teeth should be strong and healthy enough to support the crowns and the pontic.
