Dental Bridges in Union City, NJ

Providing affordable dental bridges to replace missing teeth in Union City, New Jersey

There are many options for replacing a missing tooth, each with its advantages and disadvantages. For those who are reluctant to go through with any invasive surgeries but still want to replace their missing teeth with something durable and natural-looking, one of the best options is a dental bridge.

Dental bridges can restore your ability to speak and chew properly and return your smile to its former glory after losing a tooth without the need for invasive surgery. If that sounds like the solution you’re looking for, keep reading to learn about this easy and effective restorative dental procedure from Diana Rodriguez, DMD.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a form of restorative dentistry that uses a prosthetic device designed to look and function like a natural tooth in order to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. 

The bridge is most often fixed into the mouth using dental crowns on either end of the device, fitted over the existing teeth next to the gap where teeth have been lost.

What Are Dental Bridges Made from?

There are a few different materials that are used to create a dental bridge. Those materials include porcelain, gold, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials. Each material offers its own pros and cons, which are based mostly on aesthetic qualities, durability, and affordability.

The Different Types of Dental Bridges

There are three different styles of dental bridges. While they all serve the same purpose and share many of the same qualities, each one offers something unique that can prove more useful than the others. Each type of bridge has been listed below, along with some details about the distinctions between them.

Traditional Dental Bridge

The traditional bridge, also known as a traditional fixed bridge, consists of a prosthetic tooth or row of teeth with a crown on each end. This is the most commonly used form of dental bridge and requires two healthy natural teeth on either side of the gap where teeth have been lost.

Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge can be used when there are no teeth on either side of the gap, or the teeth can’t support a dental bridge. Cantilever bridges work much like traditional bridges, only they get their support from a single side. This restoration is not too common as it can cause issues with the supporting teeth due to excessive force being placed on them.

Maryland Bonded Bridges

A Maryland bonded bridge, also known as a resin-bonded bridge, is often a solution for replacing missing front teeth. They’re made from porcelain fused to metal and are fixed to the natural teeth on either side of the gap using metal or porcelain wings. 

One benefit of this type of bridge is that it doesn’t require any reshaping of the natural teeth; it’s simply fixed behind the teeth.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are a great option for many people looking to restore form and function to the area of their mouth where there are missing teeth, but they’re not always the best solution depending on your particular circumstances. 

For a bridge to successfully replace your missing teeth, you must have teeth that can support the device. This means that the teeth on either side of the gap must be healthy and have strong roots. Placing a bridge on unhealthy teeth is likely to result in further issues down the road. 

Dental implants may be required to gain the proper support when there aren’t healthy teeth to use. 

If you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate for a dental bridge, your best bet is to speak with your dentist or schedule an appointment for a consultation. 

At your appointment, your dentist will ask you about the history of your oral health and perform an exam in order to determine what the best tooth replacement solution for you might be.

The Benefits of Dental Bridges

If you’re feeling self-conscious about your missing tooth or teeth, you may be comforted to know that it’s an incredibly common issue in America. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, an estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and about 40 million are missing all of them. 

If you’re still self-conscious, here are some reasons you might want a dental bridge.

It’s a Fairly Simple Procedure

Dental anxiety is another incredibly common issue in adults and children alike, and if you suffer from it, it’s unlikely that you want to deal with any surgical procedures, even if it means replacing a missing tooth. 

Dental bridges are mostly non-invasive and don’t require too much discomfort. The procedure is a simple one that’s considerably more comfortable than other options.

They Restore Function to Your Teeth

Both eating and speaking can be hindered significantly by missing teeth. If you’re having trouble communicating and you can’t eat some of your favorite foods, that’s a big hit to your quality of life that you don’t necessarily need to deal with. A dental bridge can fix this issue in just a few visits to the dentist’s office.

They Prevent Teeth from Moving

When there’s a gap in your teeth, your existing teeth can begin to shift around and even become loose. This presents a number of different problems with your oral health, and one of the best ways to avoid them is with a dental bridge. Dental bridges fill in that space just like a natural tooth would and keep every other tooth in line.

They Can Save Your Smile

On top of all of the oral health issues a missing tooth can cause, they can also be detrimental to your self-confidence. With a dental bridge, you can fill in that gap and restore symmetry to your smile so that you never have to think twice about flashing your teeth in public ever again.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

Receiving your dental bridge is an easy procedure, but it will require a few different visits to your dentist’s office. The first visit will be a consultation to determine whether you’re a good candidate for this type of dental restoration. If your dentist gives the go-ahead, you can then schedule another visit to get the procedure started. 

During the next visit, your dentist will prepare the teeth that will support the bridge by filing them down a bit. After that, they’ll take an impression of your mouth and send it off to a dental lab for your custom bridge to be created. In the meantime, you’ll be given a temporary bridge to protect the supporting teeth. 

Once the bridge has been created, you’ll return to the dentist’s office to have it fixed in your mouth. Adjustments will be made to ensure the device fits comfortably and allows for a natural bite. 

You’ll return to the office at a later date to make sure that the bridge has been fixed properly. If it has, your dentist will cement it permanently into your mouth.

In Need of a Dental Bridge?

You don’t have to suffer from all of the issues a missing tooth can cause. Diana Rodriguez, DMD, at Union City Mini Dental Implants, can restore form and function to your mouth and provide you with a brand-new smile with the help of a dental bridge. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.