Dental Bridge For Your Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can impact your confidence, speech, and eating habits. Auburn Bay Dental offers professional dental bridge solutions that are as functional as they are beautiful. Don’t settle for the discomfort of a missing tooth. Auburn Bay Dental offers custom, effective dental bridges tailored to you.
What are Dental Bridges?
The perfect way to fill the gap left by a missing tooth – think of them as the bridgework that connects the missing space. Made from materials like porcelain or ceramic, bridges look just like your natural teeth.
Different parts make up the bridgework:
- Abutments: Support structures—usually your natural enamel or dental implants.
- Pontics: Artificial teeth that fill the gaps.
Bridges improve the appearance, help with chewing, speaking, and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting. With a custom fit and natural look, you’ll hardly notice they are there.
Find the Right Dental Bridge for Your Needs
When replacing missing teeth, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Our dentist will pick the best option based on your needs and your budget. Here are the most common types:
Traditional Fixed Bridges
The most common option. Using crowns on either side of the gap to support a pontic (artificial tooth). Best when you have healthy enamel on both sides of the missing tooth.
Cantilever Bridges
Similar to traditional bridgework but using only one crown for support. Best option for a tooth on one side of the gap, such as when replacing a back molar.
Maryland Dental Bridges or Resin-Bonded Bridges
Uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of your adjacent teeth instead of crowns. For front teeth where less tooth alteration is preferred.
Implant-Supported Bridges
When you’ve lost several teeth in a row, implants can be used to support a bridge. The implants serve as strong, permanent anchors for your bridge.
The best dentist will walk you through all the options and help you decide which bridgework will best restore your smile.
Why Do You Need Oral Bridge Work?
Missing teeth affect various aspects of your life, from your appearance to how you speak and chew. A bridge can restore these functions and more, including:
- Restoring your smile
- Improving your ability to chew properly
- Enhancing your speech and pronunciation
- Maintaining the shape of your face
- Re-adjusting your bite to evenly distribute chewing force
- Preventing your remaining teeth from shifting out of place
Who Needs a Bridgework?
This surgical dentistry solution is for anyone missing one or more teeth. If you have healthy remaining teeth or a strong enough bone structure, a bridgework plate can fill that gap and restore function and confidence. Ideal candidates are those with:
- Missing one or more permanent teeth.
- Good oral health and healthy teeth or gums.
- Issues when chewing, speaking, or maintaining their smile.
- Able to practice good oral hygiene to keep your bridges in optimal condition.
Our Dental Bridge Procedure
Getting an oral bridge involves at least two procedures, and the overall process can take some time. However, a Maryland bridge requires fewer visits compared to other types since the abutment teeth do not need preparation. No matter which type of bridge you choose, our dentist will take impressions or a digital scan of your teeth.
Traditional and Cantilever Bridge
The first step is preparing the abutment teeth. Our dentist will begin by removing some enamel and dentin from the abutment teeth to create space for the crowns. A temporary bridge will then be placed over the teeth to protect them until the permanent bridge is ready.
At a follow-up appointment:
- Remove the temporary crowns
- Check the fit of the permanent crowns and bridge
- Cement the bridge into place
Maryland Bridge
Almost similar to traditional, but the abutment teeth only require slight etching on the back to help bond the wings.
Once the fit is confirmed:
- Placement of the bridge
- Bonding the metal wings to the abutment teeth using a strong resin
- Curing the resin
Implant-Supported Bridge
Involves placing implants into the jawbone through surgery, followed by a recovery period. Healing time for an implant-supported bridge can vary. Most dentists recommend waiting about six months before placing the crown and bridge to allow the implant to properly integrate with the jawbone.
After healing:
- Remove the temporary bridge
- Receive your custom-designed bridge
Placement of the bridge
Oral Bridges at Auburn Dental Bay
Don’t let the missing teeth affect your self-confidence. Bridges are the perfect solution to fill those gaps and restore your smile’s function and appearance. We have the skills and options to fit your needs. Traditional or Cantilever Bridge? Maryland Bridges or Implant-supported dental bridges? Contact surgical dentist to explore your options and get back to smiling with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the recovery period after the procedure?
Takes about two weeks for a bridge to fully settle in. During recovery, avoid hot or cold foods. In the first few days, using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help manage pain and discomfort.
How long does a bridge last?
Resin-bonded bridges can last up to 10 years, with other types lasting up to 15 years. However, this depends on aftercare and maintenance. You must replace them when they show signs of wear or damage.
How can I maintain my bridges?
To make the dental bridge cost worth it, care for it similarly to caring for your natural teeth. Some tips to keep it in good shape:
- Good oral hygiene. Brush and floss daily.
- Use nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean under the bridgework plate with floss threaders or interproximal brushes.
- Avoid hard or chewy foods.
- Don’t chew on ice, pens, or your nails.
- Schedule regular checkups and cleanings.
Is the dental bridge procedure painful?
A common concern many people have is whether the procedure is painful. The procedure itself is not painful, as our dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the area. After the anesthesia wears off, some patients may experience mild gum sensitivity or discomfort, but this is temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
What are removable bridges?
Unlike fixed ones, the removable option can be vacated for cleaning and maintenance. Consist of one or more artificial enamel pieces attached to a base and supported by the remaining healthy enamel. Removable bridges are an option if fixed bridges aren’t suitable due to issues with supporting teeth or oral health concerns.