Dental Bridges - Restorative Dentistry | Smile Dental Implant Center

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Bridges

Look good, feel good, lasts a long time!

Learn more about our dental bridges services and how they can benefit you.

A dental bridge is a false tooth that is secured in place on either side of the space by the natural teeth or by dental crowns. They provide a flexible treatment option when only one or a few of the teeth are missing or need to be removed due to damage or decay. Our team can construct bridges in several ways to fit your specific needs and to fully restore the look and function of your natural teeth.

A missing tooth can trigger the surrounding natural teeth to move out of position making them more prone to gum disease and tooth decay. This can in turn lead to further tooth loss or even chewing and speaking difficulties. A bridge not only helps you in achieving a confident smile but also helps in avoiding chewing or speaking difficulties in the future. A fixed bridge can help you eliminate such problems and maintain the natural shape of your face too.

There are two different types of bridges. A “fixed bridge” is traditionally made of a false tooth fused between two natural teeth. The natural teeth are crowned or capped to create a stable foundation for the bridge to sit. An “implant bridge” is made by fastening two or more implants on opposite sides and is directly fixed into the bone tissue.

A bridge is made from a lot of different materials including gold, porcelain, alloys, or a combination of any of these or more. Bridges cannot be removed by the patient.

Maintaining proper dental hygiene is important for a lot of reasons. But if you have a dental bridge, you have to be extra careful about your oral health as a strongly relies on its foundation on which it is planted. If taken care of well, a fixed bridge can last up to eight to ten years or longer.

Some patients prefer dental bridges to more invasive options for missing teeth, such as dental implants, or less permanent dental devices, such as partial dentures. Our experienced dental team will assess your teeth and gums to determine if dental bridges are a good solution for your missing tooth or teeth.

When is a dental bridge needed?
If you have a missing tooth, the empty space can cause your other teeth to shift over time. A dental bridge is used to fill the empty space and preserve the structure of your teeth and smile.
Are dental bridges a permanent option?
Dental bridges can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years depending on how you take care of them and the quality of materials used to fabricate them. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene if you want to keep them for long. However, you might need to get them replaced. Dental implants are a more permanent solution.
What is it like after I get my bridge?
Following your bridge insertion, it is not uncommon for the teeth to be slightly sensitive for one to two weeks. It may take a few weeks for the muscles in your face and mouth to become accustomed to your new bridge so you may have to cut food into small pieces and speak slower. Most patients find that their bridge gives them a greater confidence and that they smile more since they are no longer dealing with a “black space” in their mouth.
What is the best choice, a dental bridge or a dental implant?
A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the missing tooth as anchors whereas a dental implant does not need the other teeth to support it. The choice of a dental implant or a bridge is based on the health of your bone, the health of the surrounding teeth and your finances. We can provide you with our advice and recommendation on the best types of dental bridges or dental implant procedures for your specific needs.
What is the dental bridge cost?
The cost of doing dental bridge work depends on the type of bridge and the amount of work to be done. Prior to starting the process we will review the cost of the procedure with you and, if you have dental plan coverage, with your dental insurance provider.
What should I do if my crown or bridge comes off?
Occasionally a crown or a bridge will come off. There a few common causes why this happens. -Decay that has gone under the gum line and then has worked its way up inside the crown or the bridge, removing the solid tooth structure that held the restoration on. -The cement under the restoration has released its hold on the tooth. -The tooth under the restoration has fractured. Most times if you look inside your restoration, you will be able to see the cause. Please call us and we will fit you in as soon as possible to fix this problem. Protect your tooth. If you are able to place the restoration back over the teeth then do so but do not add anything to help it stick on.
Do dental bridges look natural?
Dental bridges look and feel so natural that it is difficult to differentiate them from your real teeth. Make sure you talk to your dentist about all available options for the materials.
Will I feel any pain?
The dental bridge procedure causes minimal to no pain or discomfort. It does not involve any surgery, is non-invasive and hassle-free.
How do I take care of my dental bridge?
You need to maintain meticulous oral hygiene. Proper and regular brushing, flossing and rinsing twice a day and after meals is very important. You must take care to floss the undersurface of the dental bridges too. You may also avoid eating sticky food like candies and hard food like nuts if you want to preserve your bridges for a very long time.
Can I eat everything normally with bridges?
Absolutely! You can eat anything you want with dental bridges almost immediately after the treatment just as you would with your natural teeth. But you may want to avoid sticky and hard substances that may harm your bridges and chip off the surface.

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