Five questions about dental bridges to build teeth, boost health and confidence
At Semidey Dental, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain a complete, beautiful smile. Tooth loss, whether from decay, injury, or other reasons, can be a challenging experience. Our experienced dentists, Drs. Alex Semidey and Sara Tarte, offer dental bridges as a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution to replace missing teeth.
Dental bridges provide a durable and natural-looking way to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. They restore your smile’s appearance and function, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. If you’re looking to rebuild your smile after tooth loss, a dental bridge might be the perfect option for you. Visit our Davie, Florida office to learn more about how dental bridges can enhance your oral health and overall well-being.
What are dental bridges?
As their name suggests, this form of tooth replacement “bridges” the gap between two teeth to restore your smile’s beauty, function, and health. Bridges may be recommended to replace one tooth or some missing or failing teeth.
How do you “design” a dental bridge?
There are many different types of dental bridges. A conventional bridge is made up of two porcelain crowns. These crowns are secured to the teeth on either side of the gap where another tooth used to be. The new porcelain tooth is attached to the dental crowns. When the crowns are cemented to the neighboring teeth, these “abutments” function as anchors. They hold the bridge in place. As the bridge is placed, the prosthetic tooth (or “pontic”) fills the gap – and voila!, no more missing teeth!
What makes a dental bridge an attractive option?
Bridges are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. They have been used for a long time and can hold up well as long as good oral care at home and professional care at our office is maintained. Additionally, they cost less upfront than other options for tooth replacement, such as dental implant-supported crowns and bridges. They can be placed in relatively little time, with just a few visits.
What are some other considerations?
Most dental bridges are not well-suited to individuals who are missing most of their teeth. A “standard” bridge relies on the neighboring abutment teeth for support. So, it is important for us to evaluate the condition of any remaining teeth. Since crowns must be placed as part of the process, bridges are not the most conservative or tooth-preserving option. They also do not preserve the health and density of the supportive natural bony tissue like dental implants. Lastly, it is essential to clean underneath the bridge properly. This takes some doing and may require special types of floss.
As true partners in your oral health journey, we can advise and even demonstrate the best techniques to keep your teeth their healthy attractive best. Our tooth tribe in Davie, FL, welcomes any additional questions that you may have. Just give us a call at (954) 939-0996 today.
FAQs
Does it matter where my missing teeth are located?
Yes. The locations of your teeth are an important consideration. Generally, any missing teeth should be located next to each other. If your missing teeth are not in a row, don’t worry. We are happy to discuss alternatives such as dental implants and partial dentures.
Why do my neighboring teeth need to be crowned?
These neighboring teeth will do the “heavy lifting” for your bridge. We apply dental crowns before securing the bridge to ensure a strong and stable support. The crowns strengthen these anchor teeth and ensure the durability of your bridge. They also help to protect the underlying tooth from damage associated with holding up the bridge.
What preparation is involved?
We start by ensuring that the treatment area is completely numb. Once you are comfortable, the anchor teeth are slightly reduced in size. These teeth are also reshaped. The crowns will fit right on top of the prepared teeth. Our tooth tribe also uses advanced technologies to collect information about your mouth. This information is sent to our lab, so they can make a bridge that looks natural and fits well.
Will I need a temporary?
You will receive a temporary bridge while our lab makes your permanent one. The temporary helps to maintain your attractive smile and good, comfortable function while your bridge is being made. Once your bridge is ready, you return to our office. We fix the bridge securely over the anchor teeth. Since the prosthetic teeth are attached to the crowns, they fill the space to restore your smile.
How do I care for my bridge?
Generally, you care for your bridge like your natural teeth. However, cleaning underneath the bridge can be tricky. It is important to remove all food from this area. We can recommend products like floss threaders, interdental brushes, and picks to effectively clean your bridge and prevent damage to the tooth underneath the bridge. Dental work doesn’t decay like natural teeth, but disease-causing bacteria and plaque can still threaten the underlying structure. Be consistent, thorough, and use any recommended products. We are here to help.
How long does a bridge last?
That depends on many factors, especially how you care for your bridge. It’s important to maintain good brushing and flossing, have regular checkups, and avoid any habits that could place excessive pressure on the bridge. These habits include chronic teeth grinding. We may recommend a custom nightguard to help with that and protect your dental work and remaining natural teeth. With good care, bridges can last for several years.
Why should I consider an implant bridge?
Each option has unique considerations. Bridges are more affordable upfront. However, implant-supported teeth are generally more durable. They also do not require special care, and they protect the health and strength of the bone in your jaw.
We look forward to discussing these and other considerations with you!
As true partners in your oral health journey, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our team in Davie, FL, is ready to advise and demonstrate the best techniques to keep your smile healthy and attractive. If you have any additional questions, we’d love to hear from you. Just give us a call at (954) 939-0996 today.
