If you are missing even one tooth—to say nothing of several teeth—then you know how difficult chewing, speaking and smiling become. Replacing those teeth, therefore, is more than just a matter of appearance. There are also concerns about nutritional health and self-esteem. Fortunately, Bagley, Goodwin & Hrinda in Greenfield, MA, offer crown and bridge work, an excellent choice for tooth replacement.
Whether fixed or removable, a bridge consists of a pontic, or prosthetic tooth, and the anchors that hold it in place. In the case of a crown and bridge, those anchors are dental crowns (also called abutments) that are placed on the teeth that sit on either side of a missing tooth or teeth. As such, the bridge is a permanent and secure tooth replacement option.
The Crown and Bridge Procedure
Once you and your dentist at Bagley, Goodwin & Hrinda decide that crown and bridge is the best option for you, we’ll take x-rays, impressions and photos of the area where the bridge will be placed in order to design the best fitting bridge for you. Then, the teeth that will support the bridge will be prepared for crowns. Once again, we’ll take an impression of these prepared teeth, so the crowns can be precisely fabricated in a dental lab. While your permanent bridge is made, we’ll give you a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and gums.
Finally, you’ll return to our office for a final visit when your crown and bridge will be cemented into place.
Caring for Your Crown and Bridge
Once your crown and bridge are in place, you will need to brush twice a day as usual and floss with a special bridge floss threader that will allow you to floss around and under the prosthetic tooth. With proper hygiene, your crown and bridge will last for many years.
Call Our Office Today
For more information about crown and bridge, or to schedule an appointment, call the office of Bagley, Goodwin & Hrinda. We serve patients in Greenfield, MA, as well as the surrounding areas of Deerfield, Conway, Shelburne Falls, Turner Falls, Northfield, Amherst, and Northampton.