Bridges

If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth, it’s time to consider dental bridges. These restorative prosthetic appliances “bridge the gap” between missing teeth to restore form and function to a smile. If you have lost teeth due to extraction, trauma, or disease, replacing them is important to your oral and overall good health.

After your consultation, if dental bridges are a treatment option, the dentist will explain how they work and what you can expect. Your prosthetic will be crafted from high-quality, durable materials and tailor-made to fit the natural shape of your mouth, for proper occlusion and excellent comfort.

Types of Dental Bridges

The dentist will discuss two kinds of bridges: traditional bridges, and implant-supported bridges:

• Traditional bridges are designed with an artificial tooth, known as a pontic, flanked by a pair of dental crowns, known as abutment crowns. The abutment crowns are secured to natural teeth with dental cement. Once it’s permanently secured, a dental bridge restores appearance, as well as the ability to speak and chew properly. Commonly, a dental bridge is recommended when a patient is missing a single tooth or two teeth in a row.

• Implant-supported bridges are secured differently than traditional bridges. First, dental implants are embedded in the jawbone during a brief, outpatient surgery. The implants fuse with the bone over the course of a few months, to recreate the stability of a natural, healthy tooth root. Then a bridge is attached to the implants. This procedure is typically recommended for patients with more than one missing tooth. While treatment time for implant-retained bridges is longer than that of their traditional counterpart, implants provide long-lasting results.

Signs That You May Need a Dental Bridge

If you have one missing tooth or have lost a few teeth in a row, the dentist may suggest a dental bridge as a restorative treatment option. The ideal candidate will have structurally sound teeth adjacent to the missing teeth or adequate bone density to support dental implants.

Your Tooth Corner dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth, jaw, and gum tissue, and review your records, including any new x-rays we take. If you are deemed a suitable candidate, he or she will develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. Our dentists understand that everyone’s budget and goals are different, so we will work with you to find the best solution for your life and lifestyle.

What to Expect During Treatment

If you will be receiving a traditional bridge, first your teeth on each side of the gap will be prepared to ensure a secure fit for the crowns and proper alignment of the bridge. Impressions and images will be taken, and your bridge will be crafted, based on the design that your dentist submits to the dental lab. Once the bridge is ready, you will return, and the dentist will secure the bridge using dental cement. Bridges are fixed, or non-removable.

For an implant-supported bridge, the dentist or an oral surgeon will insert implants into the jawbone. The implant site typically takes three to six months to heal as bone integrates with the implant. Keep in mind, this procedure will ultimately provide a lasting solution.

Once the implant is fully stable, we will take impressions for your bridge. When the bridge is ready for placement, you’ll return to our office. The dentist will place it in to check if it’s a comfortable fit before permanently affixing it.

Keep in mind, pursuing tooth replacement will save you from potential physical discomfort, as well as expenses by preventing further dental damage. Unreplaced teeth can lead to malocclusion, TMJ disorder, dental cracks and breakage, and nighttime teeth grinding. If you take care of your dental bridge, you can expect lasting results. Simply brush, floss, and attend dental checkups and cleanings as advised by your Tooth Corner dentist.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are missing one or more teeth in a row, find out if a dental bridge is the right treatment option for you. Call the Tooth Corner nearest you today. Call us today to schedule an appointment.