Do I Need a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge replaces one or two teeth in your smile. But is a dental bridge the right choice for you?
In this blog post, we’ll explain the . We’ll also go over the so you can make the best decision for your oral health in the long term.
Candidates for Dental Bridges
You may need a dental bridge if you’re missing one or two teeth. But to confirm this, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists.
To be a candidate for a dental bridge, you must have healthy teeth on both sides of the empty socket. Alternatively, you may have dental implants on one or both sides of the gap. That way, the dental bridge will have the support it needs.
Here’s how a dental bridge works.
A dental bridge is a restoration comprised of a false tooth, supported by crowns on adjacent teeth.
Once we determine you’re a candidate for a dental bridge, we’ll file down the two adjacent teeth to make room for the crowns. We’ll then take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. In the meantime, we’ll place a temporary cover over your teeth.
When you return for your second appointment, your dental bridge will be ready. Our dentists will make sure that your bridge is the perfect fit and color to match the rest of your smile. They’ll then go through the process of bonding the new dental bridge in place.
Ask About Dental Implants
Aren’t sure if you want a bridge? Ask our dentists if you’re a candidate for dental implants.
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root made of titanium alloy. During the procedure, the implant would be placed in your jaw. Then, over the course of several months, the implant would fuse to your jaw during a process called osseointegration.
Once the implant is stable and completely fused to your jaw, one of our dentists will then place an abutment and crown over the implant. Together, the implant, abutment, and crown give you the appearance and function of a natural tooth.
Many patients prefer implants over bridges because we don’t have to remove healthy tooth structure from adjacent teeth.
To be a candidate for dental implants you must have enough bone density in your jaw to support the implant. You should also have a healthy immune system.
Aren’t sure if you should choose dental implants to replace missing teeth? Request an appointment with one of our dentists and check out our blog post on the 3 signs you need dental implants.
Consider Dentures to Replace Several Missing Teeth
You may be a better candidate for dentures if you have several missing teeth. The reason for this is that dental bridges are only designed to replace one or two missing teeth.
Also, remember that each patient is different. Just because one patient is able to replace two teeth with a bridge doesn’t mean you should expect the same result. Rest assured, our dentists will help you understand all of your options for replacing missing teeth so you can make an informed decision.
Depending on the extent of tooth loss, our dentists may recommend full or partial dentures. While partial dentures replace a few teeth in your smile, full dentures can replace one or both arches of teeth.
Request an Appointment
Our , are dedicated to helping patients restore their oral health after losing teeth to decay or injury. To request an appointment, call Frank P. Ruffino DDS at (586) 799-4240.
