Dental Bridges – Ormond Beach, FL
Restore Your Smile with Strong, Lasting Bridges
It may be surprising to hear, but close to 180 million people are missing at least one tooth in the United States alone. Just because you have one or more missing teeth does not mean you need to look like you’re in this statistic. In fact, with the help and expertise of Dr. Nawrocki and Dr. Dennis by your side, you can have confidence knowing that your tooth replacement is in good hands. Give Brown & Nawrocki Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry a call today and we’ll get you set up for a consultation!
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is essentially a series of crowns that have been fused together to create one larger restoration. Bridges attach to existing teeth sitting adjacent to the gap in your smile to effectively fill the space left behind after your tooth were lost (or extracted). The crowns on either end are hollowed out so they can properly sit on top of your teeth (which are slightly modified in order to act as anchors). If you are missing single or multiple missing teeth, you’re likely eligible to receive a dental bridge.
Types of Dental Bridges
You’ll want to speak with one of our dentists to determine which type of dental bridge can best suit your needs. For example, while many people opt for traditional bridges thanks to their affordability, others choose implant dentures because of their many long-term benefits. Read on to learn a bit more about their differences ahead of your consultation with our dentists.
Traditional Dental Bridge
Traditional bridges do not require any surgery or several months of healing to place. Once your teeth are modified and the impressions are collected, you can expect your tooth replacement to be fabricated and ready for placement in a matter of weeks. However, they don’t offer the same longevity as implant bridges. They do cost significantly less, though.
Implant Bridge
An implant bridge attaches to a pair of dental implants placed inside of the jawbone ahead of time. This requires oral surgery, which can take a couple of hours to complete and requires several days of aftercare. They will also need about four to six months to fuse with your jawbone before they can hold a bridge. However, they boast lifespans as long as 30 years and longer, feel more natural, and help you restore your biting force more effectively than traditional bridges.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
The longer you go without replacing teeth, the more oral health problems you’re likely to run into. For example, neighboring teeth will begin to shift out of place, making your bite uneven. Not only can this lead to misaligned teeth, but it can put disproportionate stress on your jaw joints and cause jaw pain and headaches.
Additionally, dental bridges make eating and digesting food easier, whether you choose to receive dental implants or not. You’ll also be able to speak more clearly and smile with confidence around friends, family, and coworkers.
There’s hope yet for your smile, so give our office a call to learn more about your options!
Dental Bridges FAQs
If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, a dental bridge may be the restoration that can help to restore your smile. However, choosing a tooth replacement option is a huge decision, so it pays to be well-informed. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental bridges in Jacksonville. If you don’t see the information that you’ve been looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be happy to walk you through the treatment process and get you started with an initial consultation.
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
Dental bridges are designed to remain in your mouth for many years after being placed. You shouldn’t be able to take it out on your own. Only a dental professional can. Some healthcare providers may call partial dentures “removable bridges,” but this is not entirely accurate. While partials are similar to bridges, one of the key differences is the fact that partials can be removed by the patient, while bridges cannot.
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Before replacing your teeth to support a bridge, your dentist will numb the teeth that they will be working on. While the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt, you may experience some sensitivity for a few days afterward, but this should be mild and temporary. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help to manage this. Because bridges keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of place, they can help to prevent discomfort later on caused by dental drift.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Depending on the patient’s needs, a dental bridge can replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth in a row. However, in most cases, bridges are used to replace only one or two teeth. The longer that a bridge extends, the less stable it becomes, especially if the natural teeth supporting the bridge aren’t strong and healthy. It can become risky to have a bridge replace three or more teeth. Dental implant bridges can lower this risk, as implants are strong and secure, just like natural teeth.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
Within a few days of receiving your permanent restoration, it should start to feel increasingly natural. Bridges are made from durable materials that can stand up to everyday chewing forces just as easily as tooth enamel, so eating with a bridge shouldn’t feel strange. The reason your dentist reshaped your abutment teeth was to ensure that the bridge would fit comfortably within your mouth. Additionally, every bridge is custom-made based on impressions taken of the tooth. Therefore, your bridge shouldn’t feel awkward or noticeable!