If you have an untreated cavity, it will continue to spread in the tooth and can damage a significant amount of the tooth structure, including the internal dental structure. A cavity can put a tooth at risk of severe dental fracture, resulting in the need for tooth extraction and a dental bridge.
If the fracture is moderate, we may be able to perform root canal treatment to remove the decayed areas of the tooth. The remaining tooth is then prepared into an abutment to support a custom-made dental crown. However, if there is excessive tooth decay or the fracture has resulting in a large dental abscess that has affected the periodontal tissues, it may be better to remove the tooth and then begin the process of placing a dental bridge.
A dental bridge is a solid dental appliance that matches the natural appearance of the original tooth and includes two hollow crowns on either end. The dental crowns are there to anchor onto two abutments created from the core structures of the neighboring teeth. Following the completion of the dental bridge through a dental lab, you will need to visit the office again for a follow-up appointment so that we can cement the bridge in place with a potent dental adhesive.
If you have suffered a severely decayed or fractured tooth and may need a dental bridge in Malibu, California, contact Thomas Hirsch DDS at 310-456-3363 today for a visit with our dentist, Dr. Thomas Hirsch.