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We all know how important first impressions can be. When you meet someone, it only takes an instant to assess their appearance, especially their smile. It’s human nature to look for an open smile, healthy gums, and clean teeth. Factors such as missing teeth, stained fillings, and unsightly dental bridges and crowns can create a distraction that negatively impacts your appearance.

If you have ever noticed someone who has obvious crowns or bridges on their teeth, then you can relate to this concept. Why? Conventional crowns and bridges were made of a metal base and covered with a porcelain coating. Although this technique produces a very durable and attractive restoration, it is not able to fully represent the qualities of a natural tooth.

Whereas a natural tooth is translucent and can allow light to pass through the enamel, a porcelain and metal crown actually blocks the light, appearing more opaque. In fact, the metal base is sometimes visible at the margins (edges) of these restorations, resulting in a black or grey line that shows when you smile.

Fortunately, your dentist now has access to more attractive, modern crown and bridge techniques. In a shift towards “all ceramic materials,” the older metal-based restorations are being rapidly replaced. Pressed or CAD/CAM milled high strength ceramics and zirconium frameworks offer the strength of a conventional restoration while allowing more light to pass through, much like natural enamel.

There are certain circumstances in which the conventional porcelain-fused-to-metal technique is desirable, such as restoring a large molar or back tooth. Otherwise, when esthetics are a priority, such as restoring the teeth that show when you smile, advanced CAD/CAM milling technology and all ceramic options can be used to produce the beautiful smile that you desire.

To learn more about your all-ceramic options for more attractive dental bridges and other restorations, contact East Hills Dental Associates today.

For patients who have a missing tooth, or several teeth; or even those who have a tooth that is badly damaged and causing pain – perhaps through some trauma – and requires removal, they may wonder what options they may have to fill in the gap left behind by the now-missing tooth.

In scenarios such as these, dental bridges are often a recommended treatment as a good way to solve the problems associated with missing teeth. A dental bridge can conceal the loss of one, or even several teeth, and allows a dentist to replace missing teeth with a long-lasting solution that looks natural and restores much of the functionality to the patient’s mouth, such as biting and chewing functions.

The treatment involved in dental bridges involves the dentist preparing the teeth either side of the gap to be filled, by shaving off a small amount of tooth enamel. These teeth act as supports for the bridge, which sits between dental crowns that the dentist places onto each of the prepared teeth.

However, before any treatment can take place, the dentist first performs a thorough oral exam to ensure that the intended supporting teeth, known as abutment teeth, are strong and healthy enough to act as supports for the bridge.

Once treatment begins, an imprint of the patient’s teeth is taken; these are sent to a dental lab where the bridge is custom-made to fit the patient’s surrounding teeth. In the meantime, the dentist applies a temporary bridge until the patient’s bridge is returned.

Once returned, the bridge is then fitted into place in the patient’s mouth and adjusted to achieve the best possible fit. It may be necessary for further alteration of the abutment teeth, in order to achieve the desired fit. Once the patient and dentist are happy with the final result, the bridge is bonded into place and the patient can enjoy being able to eat normally and smile without embarrassment.

And of course, a good dental hygiene regime allied with twice-yearly check-ups will ensure the longevity of the dental bridge for many years. If you are in need of a tooth replacement solution in the Long Island area, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa today.