If you have lost one or more teeth in a row, restore that unhealthy, unattractive gap with dental crowns and bridgework from dentist in Wichita Falls, Dr. Shelly Strohman. Her well-honed dental skills will render your healthiest, most attractive and best functioning smile possible.
It’s Very Important to Replace Missing Teeth
Approximately 15 million Americans have dental crowns and bridgework to replace their missing teeth. Despite availability of modern dental care, tooth loss is a common oral health problem. Extensive decay, dental abscess, oral injury and advanced periodontal disease are the leading causes for tooth loss and the smile gaps that result.
When restoration through dental crowns, fillings, root canal therapy or other treatments cannot repair dental damage, extraction may be the only solution. If this occurs, the resulting smile gap is unsightly, embarrassing and detrimental to oral health and function as neighboring healthy teeth lose support and drift to fill the gap. Plus, gums and the alveolar ridge on the jaw bone deteriorate quickly.
Crowns and Dental Bridges in Wichita Falls
Dr. Strohman often recommends dental crowns and bridgework to replace missing teeth. Custom-made from durable and natural-looking porcelain, fixed bridgework is comprised of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) secured to adjacent teeth on opposite sides of the gap.
The pontics are attached to porcelain dental crowns permanently mounted on the supporting teeth. To accomplish this, the doctor determines if the teeth are healthy enough to accept the dental crowns. That means an adequate amount of healthy tooth structure is remaining.
If the teeth and surrounding gums are healthy, she carefully reshapes the teeth by gently removing some enamel. Next, Dr. Strohman covers the prepared teeth with temporary crowns to protect them while the permanent crowns are fabricated.
The dentist takes oral impressions to complete her treatment plan. At a trusted dental lab, a skilled technician takes the information and imaging and constructs the crowns and bridgework from lifelike dental porcelain.
At the next dental appointment, the dentist removes the temporary crowns and permanently cements the new crowns and bridgework in place. She adjusts the fit and bite for best aesthetics and oral function.
Caring for Crowns and Bridgework
Patients with dental crowns and bridgework must brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. They must floss daily, too, to keep plaque and tartar from accumulating around the dental crowns and bridgework. Patients must keep dental cleaning and exam appointments with Dr. Strohman. With diligent care, dental crowns and fixed bridgework can stay in place for a decade or more.
Close a Smile Gap
Replace missing teeth, and smile with confidence again. Contact Strohman Dental for a restorative dentistry consultation. The dentist will outline your options and answer all your questions and concerns. You could be a candidate for this dental restoration.