At Village Dental, our restorative dentists want to destigmatize tooth loss. After all, the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) estimates that 178 million Americans have lost at least one tooth. However, while our restorative dentists don’t want you to feel shame about missing a tooth, we don’t want you to accept tooth loss either, especially when there are great tooth replacement options. One of the best is a dental bridge, which can fill in a gap in your smile, keep your other teeth from shifting, and preserve your facial structure—all in just a few visits and without invasive oral surgery.
Dental bridges are a type of tooth replacement that literally “bridges” the gap between missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth, called pontics. The pontics are held in place by dental crowns that are placed on the natural teeth next to the gap. These provide a stable foundation for the bridge. The crowns and pontics are all color-matched to your other teeth, shaped to your specifications, and polished to feel like a natural part of your smile.
Our restorative dentists recommend tooth bridges if you:
Dental implants can be a great solution to tooth loss, but many patients are wary of the process. Implants involve placing titanium anchors into your jawbone and allowing them to integrate into the bone. This can take up to six months. If you’re already a nervous dental patient, undergoing this kind of oral surgery can be too daunting.
Bridges allow you to get a replacement tooth by placing crowns over top of your teeth; nothing is planted into your gums or bone. Plus, the process takes much less time. While dental implants have their benefits, a tooth bridge could be the right fit for you. Village Dental wants you to be aware of all your options, especially middle-ground ones that can get you the results you want for less time, effort, and expense.
You can get a dental bridge in as little as two appointments to our Union Square dentist office. During the first appointment, our dental specialists prepare your abutment teeth—the teeth on either side of the gap. We do this by removing a small amount of enamel to make room for dental crowns. We then take impressions to create a custom bridge that fits your mouth perfectly. In the meantime, our dentists give you a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and gums.
At your second appointment, our team removes your temporary bridge and places the permanent bridge, adjusting for a comfortable fit. We ensure that the bridge is securely in place and that your bite is aligned properly.
With proper care and maintenance, dental bridges can last for many years. We ensure that you get that proper care and maintenance. All of our patients receive education about their procedure and aftercare instructions once they go home. You’ll leave our office prepared for living with your new bridge, complete with product recommendations and flossing and brushing techniques to accommodate your restoration. We can also schedule your checkups and cleanings in advance so that we can monitor your bridge regularly and offer personalized guidance.
