Dental Bridges

At A Center for Dental Excellence, we understand that missing teeth can significantly impact not only your smile but also your overall oral health and confidence. Our skilled team of dental professionals is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care to help you restore your smile and maintain optimal oral health.

Understanding the Impact of Missing Teeth

Missing teeth do more than create gaps in your smile; they can also lead to various oral health issues if left untreated. Some consequences include:

• Difficulty chewing and speaking: Missing teeth can make it challenging to chew food properly or speak clearly.
• Teeth shifting: Adjacent teeth may begin to shift into the empty space, altering your bite and smile alignment over time.
• Bone loss: The jawbone requires stimulation from tooth roots to maintain its density. When a tooth is missing, the bone in that area can start to deteriorate, leading to facial collapse and changes in appearance.
• Increased risk of gum disease and decay: Shifting teeth can make it difficult to clean your mouth effectively, increasing the likelihood of plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Replacing Missing Teeth: Dental Bridges Explained

A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device designed to replace one or more missing teeth. Unlike removable dentures, bridges are anchored to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants, providing a stable, long-lasting solution for restoring your smile.

The concept of dental bridges has been around for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations using various materials like animal teeth, bones, and ivory to fill gaps in smiles. Today, modern dentistry offers advanced materials such as porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and engineered ceramic products like zirconia, ensuring that dental bridges are stronger, more durable, and aesthetically pleasing than ever before.

Types of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can be categorized into several types based on their design and support. The most common types include:

• Traditional Fixed Bridge: This type of bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to crowned natural teeth on either side of the gap. Traditional fixed bridges are versatile and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth.
• Implant-Supported Bridge: An implant-supported bridge is a state-of-the-art solution for replacing multiple missing teeth. Dental implants, which mimic the function of natural tooth roots, are strategically placed in the jawbone to support the bridge. This option provides exceptional stability, prevents bone loss, and offers the most natural-looking results.
• Cantilever Bridge: A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional fixed bridge but differs in that it is supported by only one crowned tooth on one side of the gap. Cantilever bridges are typically used when there is only one natural tooth available to support the bridge.
• Maryland Bonded Bridge: A Maryland bonded bridge consists of a pontic with wings on either side, which are bonded to the backs of the adjacent natural teeth. This type of bridge is usually reserved for replacing a single missing tooth in the front of the mouth and requires minimal preparation of the supporting teeth.

Before Getting a Dental Bridge: What to Expect

Before proceeding with dental bridge treatment, our team at A Center for Dental Excellence will thoroughly assess your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Some essential considerations before getting a dental bridge include:

• Oral health assessment: It's crucial that your mouth is free from gum disease before proceeding with any restorative treatment. If necessary, our team will provide appropriate care to treat and manage gum disease.
• Tooth preparation: For traditional fixed bridges, the supporting teeth must be prepared for full-coverage crowns. In some cases, a bone-grafting procedure may be required to enhance bone volume and provide a solid foundation for the bridge.
• Impression taking: A precise impression of your mouth will be taken to ensure that your dental bridge fits perfectly and functions seamlessly with your bite.

At A Center for Dental Excellence, we prioritize our patients' comfort and well-being. Our team will explain each step of the treatment process, ensuring you feel informed and at ease throughout your journey to a healthier, more confident smile.

What to Expect During Dental Bridge Treatment

The process of getting a dental bridge typically involves multiple visits to our office. Here's what you can expect during traditional fixed bridge and implant-supported bridge treatment:

Traditional Fixed Bridge

1. Tooth preparation: The supporting teeth are prepared for full-coverage crowns, and a temporary bridge or crowns may be placed to protect the prepared teeth.
2. Impression taking: A precise impression of your mouth is taken to ensure that your dental bridge fits perfectly.
3. Bridge fabrication: The impression is sent to a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians will fabricate your custom dental bridge according to the specifications provided by our team.
4. Try-in and cementation: Once your dental bridge has been fabricated, you'll return to our office for a try-in appointment. During this visit, we'll check the fit, shade, contours, and occlusion of your new bridge before cementing it permanently in place.

After your dental bridge is cemented, it's essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits to prolong its lifespan and prevent potential issues like decay or gum disease. Our team will provide you with detailed post-operative care instructions to help you achieve the best possible results from your treatment.

Implant-Supported Bridge

1. Dental implant placement: The dental implant procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia or sedation. Our team will take detailed diagnostic records, including 3D images of your jaws and the involved area, to facilitate precise implant placement.
2. Osseointegration: After the dental implants have been placed, they require time to integrate with the surrounding bone. This process, known as osseointegration, can take several months. In some cases, a temporary bridge may be placed immediately after surgery to provide an immediate and cosmetically pleasing look.
3. Bridge fabrication and placement: Once osseointegration is complete, impressions are taken, and the dental bridge is fabricated in a laboratory. During a subsequent appointment, your new implant-supported bridge will be securely attached to the dental implants.

Implant-supported bridges offer numerous benefits, including exceptional stability, prevention of bone loss, and natural-looking results. With proper care and maintenance, implant-supported bridges can last for many years, providing a long-lasting solution for restoring your smile and maintaining optimal oral health.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial for the longevity of your dental bridge and overall oral health. Here are some tips to help you care for your new dental bridge:

• Brush twice a day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to gently clean your teeth, gums, and dental bridge.
• Floss daily: Flossing is essential for removing plaque and food debris from between your teeth and under the pontic of your dental bridge. You may find it helpful to use a floss threader or water flosser to clean around your bridge more effectively.
• Avoid hard, sticky foods: Be mindful of eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could potentially damage or dislodge your dental bridge.
• Regular professional cleanings: Schedule regular check-ups and professional cleanings with our team at A Center for Dental Excellence. During these appointments, we'll monitor the health of your dental bridge and provide any necessary adjustments or maintenance.

By following these guidelines and maintaining excellent oral hygiene habits, you can help ensure that your dental bridge lasts for many years, providing a beautiful, functional smile that you're proud to show off.

At A Center for Dental Excellence, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain optimal oral health. If you have any questions about dental bridges or would like to schedule an appointment with our team, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to helping you restore your smile and improve your overall well-being.