What Are Dental Bridges?
If you’ve lost teeth due to accident, injury, or disease, we can create a permanent bridge to restore the full function of your bite and complete your smile. A bridge is a false tooth (or multiple false teeth) supported by neighboring crowns that can be set on stable natural teeth or dental implant posts.
This single restoration is crafted to look like separate individual teeth and “bridge” the space left by missing teeth. At Moore, Pascarella & Heinzen, we’re dedicated to helping you enjoy lasting oral health and confidence in your smile with custom crafted dental bridges in Red Bluff and Redding, CA.
How a Dental Bridge Can Protect Your Smile
A bridge not only fills the gap, but it also prevents the neighboring teeth from shifting. It can correct a misaligned bite, improve chewing function and speech articulation, and provide internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.
It’s important to replace missing teeth, whether with a bridge, dental implant or other dental work. Without attention, missing teeth put excess strain on your remaining teeth, which can wear down your enamel and increase the risk of cracks and fractures. An incomplete bite can also lead to dental problems like TMJ disorder.
Gaps left by missing teeth can also be embarrassing or unsightly, making you hesitant to smile or laugh. A bridge can help restore your confidence, appearance and oral health.
What Is the Process of Getting a Tooth Bridge?
If you’re missing a tooth, or a tooth has become unsalvageable and needs to be removed, the first step in rebuilding your smile is a personalized consultation where we’ll evaluate your unique needs.
Every person’s treatment needs differ and the style of bridge we suggest will depend upon the strength and health of the anchor teeth, as well as the location of the gap in relation to the rest of your teeth. If the anchor teeth aren’t strong enough for a bridge application, we may recommend treatment with an implant instead. For a bridge that replaces many teeth, we may recommend a removable partial denture or implant-supported prosthesis. As with any treatment, we’ll ensure you understand all the available options and the pros and cons of each.
Regardless of which tooth replacement option is right for you, you’ll get a result that looks and feels as natural as possible. We create each bridge, implant, denture or replacement tooth to match your smile and fit with your natural teeth.
The process of getting a bridge includes preparing the anchor teeth and taking detailed impressions of your teeth. Often, you can expect to have a temporary bridge while your permanent one is being made.
There are a few different styles of bridges, and different bridge materials are available. We’ll let you know which style and materials will give you the best results. Once your permanent bridge is ready, it will be placed and bonded to your teeth or dental implants. Most bridges can be expected to last around 15 years with good daily care and regular preventive cleanings from your dental hygienist.
What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?
Traditional fixed bridge
This is the most common type of bridge. It has two or more crowns and a false tooth that are all connected. The crowns keep the bridge in place.
Cantilever bridge
The pontic (false tooth) connects to only one abutment tooth in this type of bridge. This can sometimes be an option for people who have teeth on only one side of the gap.
Maryland Dental Bridge (resin-bonded bridge)
You may have this type of bridge if you have missing front teeth. It’s made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramic teeth, supported by a framework. Wings on each side of the bridge bond to your existing teeth.
Implant Supported Bridge
This bridge is similar to a traditional fixed bridge but instead of being cemented in place to teeth, it is held in place by implants.
How to Care for Dental Bridges
Adapting proper dental care habits can help add longevity not only to your dental bridges but also to your surrounding natural teeth. It is common for food to become lodged beneath or beside bridges, which can cause plaque build-up and tooth decay. In severe cases of unaddressed plaque, the decay can actually cause the bridge to fail. In addition to regularly brushing and flossing your natural teeth, dental bridges require daily care as well including:
- Brushing the teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing between the natural tooth and the bridge
- Flossing underneath the bridge with additional oral hygiene tools like floss threaders
- Rinsing the teeth regularly with a fluoride mouthwash
- Getting your teeth checked and professionally cleaned by a dentist on a regular basis
Additionally, avoiding chewy or tough foods such as nut shells and hard candy can also help preserve the integrity of your tooth bridge. Although dental bridges are not as strong as natural teeth, they can last decades with proper maintenance and care.
Who Needs Dental Bridges and Why
Dental bridge placement can help prevent the issues that can result from having missing teeth and can be customized to blend in with the shape, color, and texture of your surrounding natural teeth. Adults who are missing one or more consecutive teeth may be recommended for dental bridges to:
- Restore the functionality of the teeth for normal chewing and eating
- Maintain a normal appearance without visibly missing teeth
- Prevent speech impediments that can occur when teeth are missing
- Keep the bone and gum tissues that once supported the missing teeth from degrading when bridges with implants are present
As dental bridges rely on healthy teeth and gums for the crowns to stay anchored, candidates who have gum disease may need to wait until gum health has been fully restored to help ensure the success of the dental bridge procedure. During your consultation, our team will assess your medical history and condition and discuss all of your treatment options with you to determine if you are a candidate for dental bridges.
Restore Your Smile and Your Bite with Custom Dental Bridges in Redding and Red Bluff CA!
At Moore, Pascarella and Heinzen, we combine high quality dental care with a great patient experience. Most importantly, we want to help you enjoy a comfortable, complete smile you can feel proud to share. Schedule your consultation for dental bridges in Redding and Red Bluff CA today!
