Types of Bridges

Patients at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring don’t have to go without teeth. When someone needs multiple crowns replaced, we can provide them with a dental bridge. But these prosthetic devices have undergone some improvements in recent years, which is why we thought our patients might appreciate learning more about them.
Bridges substitute multiple crowns that have been broken, severely decayed, or are gone altogether. The traditional pontic bridge was a series of linked crowns, of which the outermost two were cemented over natural teeth. This required the natural teeth to be reshaped into narrow cylinders and for there to be no other crowns in between them. Sometimes, dentists were willing to extract or reshape healthy teeth to make room for a bridge. While this technique allowed patients to retain their natural tooth roots, modern dentists prefer not to do unnecessary extractions.
It is now possible to fabricate dentures that skirt around natural teeth, allowing more targeted care. The dentures have to be reshaped from time to time as the jaw naturally changes shape, but the patient’s jaw bone will be more stable with their tooth roots left intact. At our office, we provide mini-implant support for dentures which can be inserted into the patient’s jawbone without the lengthy process of a full implant. This will further stabilize the jaw, allowing the denture to more satisfactorily restore the patient’s bite and speaking functions.
Dr. David Bishop, Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, and Dr. Alicia Reynolds operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8757 Georgia Ave, #810 Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you are missing teeth and want to avoid an invasive form of treatment such as dental implants, then dentures might be the correct option for you. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether, from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, our doctors at Bishop & Bishop Dental can help revitalize your grin.
When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can also be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change too much. There are different types of dentures that we can suggest depending on your individual case, however, it’s important to know that new dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them.
If you have questions or concerns regarding dentures or restorative dental procedures, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270.

Vertical Dimension Loss

As providers of dentures, vertical dimension loss is one of the most serious dental problems the doctors and Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring confront. Also known as bite collapse, vertical dimension loss refers to the shortening of a patient’s face when they are without teeth.

Even if a patient still has their front teeth, the loss of the back ones can result in vertical dimension loss. Without teeth for chewing, they may compensate with their incisors, causing them to be pushed outward under bite forces they are unable to sustain. When the bite is shortened, the lower half of the face looks disproportionately small and the skin between the mouth and the nose is wrinkled. People with collapsed bites also commonly suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, causing pain in their jaws and necks.

When constructing dentures, doctors are careful to ensure that the height of the new teeth will be aesthetically and functionally pleasing to the patient. Temporary dentures help to prepare the mouth for the height difference provided by full restorations. Other oral devices can also be used to restore vertical dimension when the natural teeth still have some crown material.

David Bishop, DDS and Dorienne Taylor-Bishop, DDS, operate Bishop & Bishop Dental at 8830 Cameron St, #504, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. To set up an appointment, call 301-608-9270 or visit Bishop Dental and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dentures

Dentures are a great option for those looking to replace missing teeth with a non-permanent solution. There are two type of denture and they are used depending on each individual case. At Bishop & Bishop Dental, we offer both full and partial dentures to help our patients retain their original smile quickly and effectively.

 

Dentures are replacement teeth that can be removed and worn at your convenience. In many cases, patients have very different needs when it comes to having their dentures created. Dentures are made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals depending on the situation.

 

At Bishop & Bishop Dental, we offer conventional-full, immediate-full and partial dentures to patients hoping to restore their smile. Conventional-full dentures are used when all of the teeth are removed. The tissue is given time to heal before the dentures can be placed; this usually takes a couple months to heal completely. Immediate-full dentures are made before the original teeth are removed. The doctors will take measurements and have the dentures fitted for each specific patient mouth. Once the teeth are removed, the dentures are able to be immediately placed. Partial dentures are used to replace multiple teeth at one time, not all teeth. This removable option is similar to a bridge, but it is not permanent.

 

If you have lost one or more tooth and are interested in dentures, visitwww.bishopdental.com or call 301-608-9270 to set up an appointment at Bishop & Bishop Dental in Silver Spring, MD.

When to Replace Your Complete Dentures

When to Replace Your Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are a set of dentures that are made following the removal of all the patient’s teeth. Dentures are usually placed in the mouth 8-12 weeks after the teeth are removed, as this is when the gum tissue has healed enough. Dr. David Bishop begins preparing these dentures once the gum tissue is healing properly. Once complete, the patient has a brand new set of dentures that let them eat the foods they want with teeth that require only minimal care.

 

For patients who want to have a temporary solution before their final dentures are ready, we provide a temporary set of dentures here at Bishop & Bishop dental. They are not as secure while talking and eating as the complete dentures, but are great for this in between period.

 

Once patients have their complete dentures, they are advised to re-visit Bishop & Bishop Dental to look at the dentures and determine if and when they need to be replaced. While complete dentures are stable and can last a long time, we do recommend replacing them ideally about every five years on average.

 

If you are ready to get fitted for complete dentures, visit our practice in Silver Spring, MD.

Transition into Dentures

Did you know that many of the problems that are commonly associated with dentures are not inherent to the prosthetics alone, but due to improper fit or poor quality? Modern dentures are actually beautiful, functional and secure.  Here at Bishop & Bishop Dental we help our patients avoid such denture trouble through personalized care and utilization of only high quality restorative materials.  We’ll also work closely with you to help you through your transition into dentures and ensure that you are totally satisfied. To make your denture adjustment go smoothly and ensure your get the most out of your prosthetics, follow these guidelines:

• Get additional adjustments when specified and as needed if your dentures feel too crowded or too loose.
• If you dentures become damaged, see us for an assessment and repair as soon as possible.
• Clean your dentures with a denture specific brush, paste and be sure to soak them in cleaning solution every day.
• Make sure to clean your gums, tongue, the inside of your cheeks, and the roof of your mouth to keep your oral cavity healthy.

If you’re ready to make the transition into dentures, or you’re in need of a new pair that looks great and functions reliably, see us here at Bishop & Bishop Dental.