There are many ways that you can address a few missing teeth. Optimally, you might replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, but if you have several in a row, it could be that partial dentures or a dental bridge is the answer. In Kailua-Kona, HI, Carter Yokoyama, DDS is a highly trained restorative dentistry expert who offers dental bridges as one premium solution to missing teeth.
Bridges and Dentures
As your preferred dentist in Kailua-Kona, Dr. Yokoyama will always review your different options for replacing missing teeth, and suggest dental bridges if you live with multiple gaps in the upper or lower set of teeth. These are not the same as dentures because they are fixed in place.
A bridge is just as it sounds, a series of artificial teeth that bridge the span between healthy adult teeth. They are made to look identical to your natural teeth and to function as fully as them too. They are not suitable for all patients, though, and you must meet a few criteria before we can offer them as a restorative and/or cosmetic solution.
First, you need a healthy tooth at each end of the bridge. Known as abutments, these teeth will need to take a bit of wear and tear because the bridge is actually fixed to them. This is often why dental bridges might require dental crowns on the healthy teeth at each end. Rather than risk wear and tear, or decay and damage, a tooth is prepared and fitted with a crown to prevent any problems from developing.
If you don’t have two healthy teeth, all is not lost because we may provide dental implants instead. If you have healthy gums and good overall health, we may be able to do implants and use them as anchors for the bridge.
The ultimate goal of restorative dentistry is to provide you with the fullest level of function where your teeth and gums are concerned. Replacing missing teeth with the use of dental bridges is a very common and effective approach to restoration. They allow you to look, speak and eat as you have always done, and will typically last from five to ten years before they may need to be updated or adjusted.
Contact Our Kailua-Kona Dentist for Dental Bridges Today
If you still have some questions about whether you are a candidate for dental bridges, feel free to give us a call at our Kailua-Kona, HI office at 808-322-0101. You can also use our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.