If one of your teeth has lost a large filling or developed advanced tooth decay, it can seriously compromise the interior of the tooth. In some cases, the decay might be so pronounced that it simply can’t be repaired by a filling or a crown. In a situation like this the dentists at Derby Family Dentistry might recommend that the tooth be extracted and later restored by a crown.
After the extraction it will take a little while for your gums to heal. Once they are fully healed, our dentists can completely restore the function and appearance of the tooth by installing a bridge.
A bridge essentially mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. It is fused to a pair of crowns that are anchored on abutments formed from the neighboring teeth.
Your Derby Family Dentistry dentist will prepare the abutments by using a drill to remove the majority of the enamel from the two closest teeth. A small amount of enamel is left to protect the healthy interior of the teeth.
Then the dentist will form an impression of the abutments, as well as the void and the nearby teeth. The impression is sent to a dental lab where your permanent bridge will be made. In the interim, temporary crowns are cemented over each abutment to protect them during the interim.
You will be called in for a brief second appointment, once the permanent bridge is back from the dental lab. The temporary crowns are removed and your new bridge is cemented in place.
If you have a tooth suffering from severe amount of tooth decay, please call Derby Family Dentistry at 316-788-4000 to schedule an appointment.