We offer two types of dental bridges in Gainesville: traditional and implant-supported bridges. During your consultation, your dentist will recommend which type would be best for your needs.
Dental Bridges in Gainesville
Close Gaps and Restore Your Smile
Missing teeth make it hard to chew and speak and can impact your overall confidence. Dental bridges can fix this!
Dental bridges are designed to replace missing teeth. They “bridge” the gap in your smile with false teeth. Whether you’re just missing one tooth or several, a dental bridge is custom-made to fit your mouth and restore your smile with completely natural-looking results.
Reach out to GoSmiles to learn more about getting dental bridges in Gainesville.
How Dental Bridges Work
A dental bridge is an appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth in a sequence.
The device is composed of three or more dental crowns that have been fused together to “bridge” the gap from one of your natural teeth to the other.
We place a dental bridge by aligning the two crowns on either side of the bridge with the two abutments on the outside of the gap. In order to secure the device in place, your natural teeth on either side of the gap must be contoured and reshaped, so the bridge will fit on top. The bridge will be secured and cemented to the abutment for security and stabilization.
Implant-Supported Bridges
An implant-supported bridge is another option utilized to span the gap of multiple missing teeth in a sequence.
This is similar to a traditional bridge; the only difference here is that the bridge appliance is supported by dental implants rather than your natural teeth!
During your appointment, we will begin by placing an implant on either side of the gap in your teeth. Once these two implants are placed and healed, they will have abutements connected. Abutments give the bridge a secure foundation for attachment. We will create a custom-made bridge that blends with the rest of your smile and fits comfortably within the gap!
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Restore Function
Dental bridges are a durable tooth replacement and make it easier to chew and speak.
Natural-Looking
A bridge will look and feel like natural teeth and help maintain your jaw’s natural shape.
Protect Oral Health
Missing teeth can lead to jawbone loss and your other teeth shifting. A dental bridge prevents these detrimental changes.
What to Expect
There are several steps involved in the process of creating a dental bridge that take place over several visits to our office.
The first step is making an appointment with your dentist. We’ll take X-rays and talk to you about the dental bridge process.
After we’ve created the custom bridge piece, it’s cemented in place or installed on the implant base. For a traditional bridge, the ends of the bridge will go over your prepared teeth, using your natural tooth roots to anchor the appliance in place. For implant bridges, the installation is just a little different but overall its a similar process!
It may take about 2 weeks for your mouth to adjust to the bridge; after that, it will feel just like your natural teeth. We’ll provide recommended aftercare instructions for maintaining your bridge device.
When well cared for, this appliance may last up to 7 years before requiring replacement.
Discover More About Dental Bridges in Gainesville
The expert dentists at GoSmiles Dentistry are here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may experience some minor discomfort after the bridge is placed, but this pain is temporary and usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. After the initial healing period, the bridge will feel like your natural teeth.
It is not accurate to say that one is universally better than the other as the choice between crowns and bridges depends on individual dental needs.
How long your bridge will last depends on how well you care for your teeth, this includes daily brushing and regular dental check-ups. With good care, these dental restoration tools should last you at least a decade.
Dental bridges require the same care as your natural teeth. You should avoid hard or sticky foods for the first couple of weeks after getting your bridge.