Dental Bridges

Are missing teeth making it hard to smile confidently or eat comfortably? If you’ve lost a tooth — or have two or more in a row that are gone— you might benefit from getting a dental bridge. This type of tooth replacement provides a convenient way to fill in those gaps and boost your smile and chewing abilities again!

Our dentist in Springfield, KY, at [place_name] offers dental bridges for one or missing teeth. Dr. Flowers has many years of experience fitting patients with sturdy yet comfortable bridges for improved function and an enhanced smile!

What Are Dental Bridges?

As the name implies, they act as bridges that go over gaps in your mouth. Each bridge includes caps or crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap and replacement teeth for those that are missing. This forms a durable structure that restores functionality, making speaking and chewing easier.

Dental bridges are made using different materials, such as:

• Porcelain
• Ceramic
• Gold and other metals
• Alloys

Types of Dental Bridges

Different bridges are available to suit different situations. Traditional ones are the most common — but other types may be recommended based on various factors, such as whether you have one or two adjacent teeth next to missing teeth. Dr. Flowers can determine the right type to use in your situation.

Traditional Bridges

These are the classic setup with dental crowns on either side and an artificial tooth or teeth in the gap. The crowns help hold the whole structure in place securely.

Maryland Bridges

This is a lot like a traditional bridge. But it involves securing or bonding a porcelain or metal framework to the rear parts of the adjacent teeth instead of using crowns.

Cantilever Bridges

This type only requires one tooth next to the gap. It includes a dental crown that’s placed on the neighboring tooth and a replacement tooth in the gap.

Implant-supported Bridges

This bridge type involves having surgery done to place posts or implants in your jaw for each tooth that’s gone. The implants help secure the bridge. Implant-supported bridges can take several months to complete.

Why You Might Need a Dental Bridge

Losing teeth can affect your life in many ways. You might struggle with self-esteem or avoid eating certain foods you used to enjoy due to trouble chewing. You might also have a hard time talking if you have several missing teeth. Dental bridges can solve these problems — giving you an improved smile and allowing you to chew and pronounce words easily again.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Replacing teeth with a bridge provides all of the following advantages:

• Offers replacement teeth that closely resemble natural teeth
• Stops adjacent teeth from moving towards the gap
• Prevents gaps from causing facial changes, such as a sunken look
• Restores your bite

What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge

The entire process for most bridges usually takes two visits. But the time between these visits varies. Implant-supported bridges may have several months between appointments, while traditional ones might only have a couple of weeks between visits.

When you visit us for dental bridges in Springfield, KY, our process typically includes the following steps:

• Preparing the adjacent teeth for crowns, such as removing a small amount of tooth enamel
• Taking molds of your teeth and gap to have a bridge made — two crowns and artificial teeth or pontics
• Placing a temporary bridge on your teeth to protect against infections or damage
• Taking the temporary bridge off and placing the permanent bridge in your mouth at your followup visit

Afterwards, you’ll need to be careful about what you eat for a few days as your teeth and gums heal. We’ll give you instructions to follow for post-care.

How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge

Having a bridge in place means you’ll need to brush and floss carefully to prevent plaque buildup. Food and bacteria can get caught or trapped in the area, making it important to thoroughly clean it. Otherwise, you may end up with gum disease and/or tooth decay.

FAQs

Are there any risks with dental bridges?

They might not work effectively if the adjacent teeth have any kind of injuries or decay. This can cause the bridge to be weak or even fracture. But we check these teeth beforehand to make sure they’re suitable for a bridge.

Can anyone get a dental bridge?

This type of tooth replacement is commonly used. But it might not be the best choice for everyone, depending on certain factors. If you don’t have healthy gums or if your adjacent teeth aren’t in good condition, we might discuss other options with you.

How do you keep a dental bridge clean?

You brush and floss to make sure the entire area, including the gums, is free of food debris that attracts bacteria. This helps prevent plaque from accumulating on the abutment teeth and infecting the area or causing decay.

Should a dental bridge move at all?

It may move slightly at first as your mouth adjusts. But it shouldn’t be loose enough to completely move out of place. We might need to remove and reattach it if it becomes too loose or falls off.

How long does it take to get used to a dental bridge?

It may take a few days or more for you to grow accustomed to having a bridge in your mouth. But it should feel normal after that initial adjustment period.

What do I need to do to take care of my bridge?

You should do the following to protect it from damage:

• Avoid eating foods that are sticky or hard to bite
• Avoid biting on non-food objects with your bridge, like pens and fingernails

Schedule an Appointment Today to Replace Missing Teeth!

Are you ready to see if a bridge is the right option for your mouth? At Don K. Flowers Jr. DMD, our dental team can evaluate your teeth to determine this — and choose the most suitable type. We offer different kinds of dental bridges in Springfield, KY, for replacing missing teeth and restoring your confidence and smile!