Dental Bridges – North Grafton, MA
Close the Gaps in Your Smile
With the help of modern dentistry, the inconvenience of a missing tooth can be easily resolved with multiple smile solutions. If you’re missing one or more consecutive teeth, and the neighboring teeth are healthy, a dental bridge is an excellent option to consider! At Theroux Dental Associates, we offer reliable expertise in bridging the gaps in your smile, restoring its functionality and aesthetics. Want to find out if this option is right for you? Continue reading or give us a call today !
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are prosthetic teeth made from materials similar to those used for single crowns. These restorations are composed of two dental crowns, positioned on either side of one or more replacement teeth known as pontics. By attaching the crowns to the adjacent natural teeth and filling the empty space with pontics, the bridge achieves a seamless appearance. Our team can meticulously design both the crowns and pontics to closely resemble your natural smile, ensuring that the difference is virtually indistinguishable to others!
Types of Dental Bridges
Ready to start your journey towards a fully functioning grin? First, you’ll attend a consultation with our team so we can perform a thorough oral examination, inquire about your smile goals, and review your medical history. Upon evaluating these factors, we will recommend one of the following treatment options tailored specifically for you:
Traditional Dental Bridges
If you have one or more consecutive missing teeth, a traditional dental bridge might be the ideal solution. All you need is a stable, natural tooth both in front and behind the empty space that you wish to restore. We essentially “bridge the gap” by making a single unit of three or more teeth.
Implant Bridges
As the name suggests, an implant bridge uses dental implants instead of crowns. These titanium posts are strategically positioned on both sides of the gap in your smile. Once they have successfully fused with the jawbone, we can securely attach a dental bridge, effectively replacing multiple missing teeth. Because of its unique placement in the jawbone, it’s considered the strongest and most stable method of tooth replacement!
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
By replacing your missing teeth with a dental bridge, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Prevent dental drift and preserve the alignment of your remaining natural teeth by filling the gap
- A natural-looking appearance alongside your existing teeth, allowing you to smile with confidence
- Easier maintenance as you can brush your restoration just like your regular teeth
- With proper care, your bridge can last up to 15 years or longer
Dental Bridges FAQs
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Thankfully, dental bridge treatment doesn’t hurt at all. You should find the process smooth and comfortable.
You see, a dentist numbs your teeth before prepping them for a bridge. All they have to do is apply a topical anesthetic. That way, your treatment site won’t feel pain as the dental team works. You’ll only sense a slight pressure from the area at most.
All that said, your abutment teeth may feel sore after the treatment. The anesthetic used to numb your mouth will wear off over time. However, this ache is short-lived – it’ll fade in a few days. You can manage it with store-bought pain relievers in the meantime.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
The average dental bridge can replace one to four missing teeth in a row. However, most patients get bridges that only replace one or two. Treatment is likely to fail if the bridge is too long.
In truth, a dental bridge grows unstable as it gets longer. The bonds holding it together start to weaken. So, having a bridge replace three or more teeth is risky. This risk only increases if the abutment teeth are unhealthy.
Thankfully, implant bridges are an exception. They rely on dental implants – restorations as strong and secure as natural teeth. As a result, they can lower the risk of instability.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
Sadly, dental bridges can’t be brightened like natural teeth can. They aren’t affected by standard whitening methods. At best, they’ll remain the same color while the rest of your smile is whiter.
The issue comes down to how teeth whitening works. Normally, it applies a bleaching gel that enters your enamel and breaks up stains. In contrast, dental bridges aren’t porous enough to let the gel pass through. That means a whitening service won’t alter your bridge’s color.
Of course, you can work around this problem. Simply ask your dentist for teeth whitening before the bridge is placed. That way, the final restoration will match your smile’s ideal shade.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
As a matter of fact, yes – dental bridges do feel natural. They’ll seem like the rest of your grin within just a few days of placement.
Firstly, dental bridges use durable materials. They can thus withstand everyday chewing forces. Eating with the prosthetic in place shouldn’t feel odd.
More crucially, remember that a dentist customizes your dental bridge. They (or a lab worker) design it based on impressions of your smile. Plus, they reshape your abutment teeth to ensure a good fit. Such efforts should keep your final bridge from feeling awkward.