What are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a type of restoration that is designed to replace one or more missing teeth in the mouth. Unlike a dental crown, a bridge contains multiple teeth on one realistic-looking restoration. The bridge is placed over the surrounding teeth, and the middle portion of the bridge replaces what is missing by simply sitting over the gum line. Most bridges can last for decades before full replacement is necessary.
Why would Dental Bridges be needed?
The reason you may need or want a dental bridge is because you’re missing one or more of your natural teeth. Rather than have a dental implant placed, a bridge requires no surgery and can do wonders for correcting your smile. The bridge itself offers both restorative as well as cosmetic benefits. Not only will you feel more confident about your smile, but it will be easier to eat, chew and speak with the bridge in place.
Who is a candidate for Dental Bridges?
To determine if you might need a new dental bridge, we’ll examine your smile and look for areas that are missing teeth. If you are missing multiple teeth in the same area, we may recommend either implants or a partial denture instead. If you have an older bridge that’s showing signs of wear, we can easily replace this restoration in our office. If you need a dental bridge, it’s best to have one placed before the surrounding teeth are able to shift.
What happens during the Dental Bridge procedure?
We begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to the area that will be worked on. We then file down the two surrounding teeth so that there is enough room for the new bridge. Impressions are taken and used to make a realistic-looking bridge that matches the rest of your smile. We then place the bridge at a subsequent appointment and make any adjustments to its fit. You can floss around the new bridge and brush it as you would your natural teeth. With the proper care, you can expect the bridge to last for a few decades before it should be replaced.
If you think you might need a new dental bridge, call us today so that we can get you in for a convenient consultation appointment.