Is It Time for a Dental Bridge?

However you found yourself with a tooth or a few teeth missing, our Grand Rapids, MI, dentists have several ways you can reclaim your smile. An appealing option for many patients is a dental bridge because of its permanency and how it looks as though it has always belonged.

Here’s how dental bridges work and whether your smile would benefit from having one placed.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Appropriately named, a dental bridge literally “bridges the gap” left by one or more missing teeth. It is a fixed, or permanent, solution that replaces lost teeth and gives you a beautifully natural smile.

Traditional dental bridges consist of two or more dental crowns with a false tooth in between. The crowns are placed over anchoring teeth on either side of the gap, also known as “abutment teeth”.

Bridges can also be supported by dental implants if natural teeth are not present. An implant-supported bridge is a good option when multiple teeth are missing and a surgical solution isn’t opposed, providing superior stability and jawbone stimulation compared to other types of bridges.

Why You Might Need a Dental Bridge

Every patient is different. Our local dental bridge dentists will need to examine your entire mouth to determine what will work best for you. We may even find that other restorative solutions like dental implants are the more appropriate choice.

Placing a dental bridge may be recommended for those who have:

• Severe tooth decay
• Trauma or injury to the mouth
• Periodontal disease
• Medical issues that prohibit the placement of dental implants
• Noticeable bite issues (how your top and bottom teeth come together)
• Difficulty chewing foods
• Pain due to the increased stress on your teeth and jaw
• One or more permanent teeth missing

If you identify with any of the above, give our Grand Rapids, MI, dental office a call and we can discuss next steps. We’ll need to first take a closer look at your mouth and assess your current oral health to make sure nothing else needs to be addressed before the non-removable dental bridge is created.

What Happens During the Dental Bridge Procedure?

The dental bridge process generally takes at least two appointments. First, our dentists will start by preparing the adjacent, or abutment, teeth that will help support the custom dental bridge. The teeth will be reshaped and recontoured enough to allow for crown placement. Once this stage is complete, digital impressions of the teeth can be taken.

We’ll then use these impressions to fabricate the permanent dental bridge, crowns, and false tooth that will rest in between. While the bridge is being constructed, we will give you a temporary bridge to wear so exposed teeth and gums are properly protected.

Our dentists will remove the temporary dental bridge and place the permanent version once all components are ready. Finally, we’ll make sure your bite and the fit of the bridge are correct. If anything feels off, please let us know and we will make alterations as needed.

Benefits That Come With a Dental Bridge

There are many advantages to having a dental bridge placed. The most obvious benefit is that they can help improve the appearance of your smile. This alone can provide a noticeable confidence boost and make it all worth it.

Dental bridges can also:

• Restore your ability to talk and chew food
• Help maintain the natural shape of your face
• Improve your speech or pronunciation
• Prevent your remaining teeth from shifting into undesirable positions
• Re-adjust your bite to properly distribute the force when you chew

Our dentists understand that you may be coming to us in a vulnerable state. Not having all of your teeth can feel embarrassing for some which is why we have created a judgment-free environment inside our office. We will always support your decision to enhance your smile and improve your long-term oral health through the process of replacing missing teeth.

How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge

Your dental bridge will need to be cared for to ensure your mouth remains healthy. You will have to be extra diligent about practicing oral hygiene habits following dental bridge placement.

For example, the area where the fake tooth rests on the gums is difficult to clean and can result in plaque buildup. To combat this, rinse with mouthwash often, brush twice a day, and floss daily underneath the bridge. Scheduling a professional teeth cleaning every 6 months with our team is also recommended.

Oral hygiene habits such as these will reduce inflammation and prevent cavities from occurring at the edge of the bridge. You may find that you need floss threaders or a water flosser to accurately reach areas underneath and in between.

Schedule a Dental Bridge Consultation

Our dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, can spend time talking with you about dental bridges and how one might work with your smile if you’re interested. Call Contemporary Family Dental today at (616) 209-3969 to schedule an appointment.

This blog post has been updated.