Missing teeth can interfere with your beautiful smile and make you self-conscious. If you're missing teeth, consult with a  Westlake Village dentist to find out what your options for replacing them might be. Here at Dr. Philip Shindler's office, a  Westlake Village dentist who has been practicing in our community for over twenty years, one of the most common procedures we use for replacing missing teeth is a fixed bridge. Unlike old-fashioned dentures and other dental procedures that never quite feel like “the real thing”, fixed bridges look and feel like real teeth. When careful attention to preparing the teeth, and very accurate impressions are made by a good Westlake Village dentist, a fixed bridge will last for many years.
Advantages of a Fixed Bridge

Once your Westlake Village dentist finishes your fixed bridge, you will not only restore your beautiful smile, you will also regain your ability to chew and speak normally. Additionally, a fixed bridge fills in the space of missing teeth, while preventing your remaining teeth from drifting out of position – a common problem that occurs for people who are missing teeth.

Contact us and make your appointment today! Once you get your fixed bridge, you will not only restore your beautiful smile, you will also regain your ability to chew and speak normally.

The Process of Getting a Fixed Bridge

Like other complex dental procedures, it will take your Thousand Oaks dentist / Westlake Village dentist at least two visits to completely install your new fixed bridge. During the first visit, your dentist will prepare your anchoring teeth for the crowns that will fit over top of them. A crown is a “tooth topper” that is sometimes used to restore the strength the aesthetic qualities of damaged teeth. Dental crowns are also commonly used to anchor fixed bridges. During the same initial visit, you will be fitted with a temporary bridge that you will need to wear for several weeks.

In the first visit, your Thousand Oaks dentist / Westlake Village dentist will make a mold of your teeth. This is used at the dental laboratory where the bridge is actually created. When the bridge comes back, your dentist will call you back in for your next visit. He or she will check your new bridge to make sure it fits, then adjust it until it fits perfectly comfortably with your remaining teeth. The fixed bridge will be cemented into place. Some dentists choose to cement the bridge only temporarily at first, giving both teeth and tissue time to adjust to the new addition in your mouth. Later on, your dentist will permanently cement the bridge.

Missing teeth can interfere with your beautiful smile and make you self-conscious. If you're missing teeth, consult with a Thousand Oaks dentist or Westlake Village dentist to find out what your options for replacing them might be.