Each one of your teeth is anchored in its socket by a series of strong periodontal ligaments. As strong as this hold is, there are times when a hard blow to the face can sever the tooth’s connection with the periodontal ligaments, knocking the tooth out of the socket. When this happens, the tooth is almost always lost.
To remedy this problem, our dentists will often recommend suturing the gums and installing a dental bridge to replace the knocked-out tooth. A dental bridge in Mechanicsville, Virginia, mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. The replacement tooth is fused to a pair of crowns that are anchored to two abutments.
To form the abutments, Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick will need to remove all of the tooth enamel from each of the neighboring teeth. This creates a small protective sheath that houses the healthy pulp, root, and nerve of each tooth.
Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick will then create a detailed impression of the abutments and surrounding teeth. This impression will be sent to a dental lab to help guide the technicians as they produce your permanent bridge. A temporary crown is cemented over each abutment to keep it safe while you await the completion of your final bridge.
Once the dental lab has completed your permanent bridge, Drs. Paul R. Stanovick and Brant Stanovick will call you into our office for a brief follow-up appointment. The temporary crowns will be removed and your new permanent bridge will be cemented into place.
If one of your teeth has been knocked out, you need to call us at 804-781-1919 to seek urgent treatment.