Premolars reside in your mouth immediately in front of your molars. These teeth do a great deal of work chewing and grinding food. When one is lost to severe tooth decay or extraction, it can significantly impair the healthy function of your mouth. At first, it might only limit your ability to bite and chew food. If the tooth was visible in your smile, it might affect your appearance. It could even slur your speech. If the tooth isn’t replaced, it can cause the surrounding teeth to alter their alignment in response to the void.
One of the most effective methods for replacing the premolar is to have your dentists, Dr. Sean and Dr. Sepi, install a dental bridge. A dental bridge in Vallejo, California, is two crowns fused together with a third representative tooth in the middle. It is mounted on a pair of abutments that are formed by the two closest neighboring teeth.
It generally requires two separate appointments to completely install a bridge. During the first appointment, your dentists will examine the two neighboring teeth to make sure they are completely healthy.
Your dentists will then use a drill to remove the tooth enamel from the two neighboring teeth on each side of the void. This leaves behind a pair of abutments that will later anchor your new bridge.
An impression will then be made of the area, which will be sent to our dental lab. This will serve as a guide for the technicians when custom making your final bridge. Once this is done, temporary crowns will be secured over each abutment to protect them.
When your new bridge is ready, a member of our staff will call you to set up a second appointment. The temporary crowns will be removed and your new bridge will be cemented onto the abutments.
If you are missing a premolar or any other tooth in your mouth, you should call 707-642-1360 to understand your restoration options at Plaza Dental Care.