Dental Bridges – Rockville
Fill in the Gaps in Your Smile!
When you are missing just one tooth, it can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Having gaps in your smile can make it difficult to complete daily tasks that you once found easy, like chewing your food, speaking clearly, and smiling without feeling self-conscious. At Rockville Family Dentistry, we offer dental bridges to help you show off a complete smile again. To learn more about dental bridges or to schedule a consultation, give us a call!
Why Choose Rockville Family Dentistry for Dental Bridges?
- Made of Life-Like Materials
- We Use State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- In-Network with Many Dental Insurance Plans
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Dental crowns are made to preserve a damaged tooth. Dental bridges work in a similar way but are made to replace one or multiple consecutive missing teeth. The restoration is made from two crowns located on either side of the replacement teeth. The dental crowns act as anchors that are placed on the two teeth on either side of the gap in your smile to secure the restoration. Just like dental crowns, bridges are customized from natural-looking materials that blend in with the rest of your smile.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are two main types of dental bridges to meet a variety of needs. Here is how each of them works.
Traditional Dental Bridge
If you have healthy teeth on either side of the gap that needs to be filled in, a traditional dental bridge is often the perfect solution. The teeth that support the dental crown are called abutment teeth, and they are altered slightly so the bridge fits in your mouth. This type of restoration can be placed in just two visits to the dental office and is the more affordable option of the two.
Implant Bridge
If you don’t have healthy adjacent teeth, surgically implanted metal posts called “dental implants” make a great alternative. Dental implants can be used when there are three or more missing teeth in a row. Implant bridges tend to last longer than traditional bridges on average, and they help to prevent bone loss over time.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Here are some of the benefits that you can enjoy when you get your dental bridge.
- Prevents surrounding teeth from shifting around
- Improves overall confidence and self-esteem
- Allows for thorough chewing
- Improves speech articulation
- Lowers risk of oral health issues
- Cost-effective tooth replacement option
Dental Bridges FAQs
If you’re missing one or a consecutive number of teeth, then you might consider getting a dental bridge to replace them. Since it’s important to choose the best restoration option for your smile, it’s a good idea to be well-informed about the treatment before committing to it. To help make this process easier for you, our team at Rockville Family Dentistry has collected and answered the most common questions we get about dental bridges in Rockville. Read along or give us a call if you wish to learn more today!
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Just like most other dental procedures, we’ll first numb your mouth in the area we’ll be working on. This will allow you to remain comfortable while we prepare the teeth that’ll support your bridge. Although you shouldn’t experience any discomfort throughout the process, you might feel mild sensitivity for the following few days. You can easily manage this with over-the-counter pain relievers. Be sure to reach out to us if you do experience any persistent or worsening pain so we can address the issue.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
Your dental bridges should begin to feel increasingly natural within several days of receiving your restoration treatment. They’ll be constructed out of durable materials, such as ceramic or porcelain, so they’ll be able to withstand the excessive force from chewing. This means they’ll act like your natural tooth enamel and allow you to eat your meals comfortably. We’ll also design them to fit your exact smile specifications, so they shouldn’t feel or look noticeable in the long run.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Dental bridges can effectively replace anywhere between one to four consecutively missing teeth. The standard, however, is to typically use a bridge to restore one or two, as this will provide the most stability. The longer your restoration extends, or if your supporting teeth aren’t healthy or strong enough, the less secure it’ll be. If you need to replace more than two missing teeth successfully, then you might consider opting for implant bridges. These will be directly anchored to metal posts that were surgically embedded into your jawbone. Consult our team if this is something you’re interested in, and we’ll be happy to discuss a treatment plan for you.
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
You should not be able to remove a dental bridge once it’s placed in your mouth. Only a dental professional like Dr. Shahram Modarres will be able to safely take them out whenever it’s time to replace your restoration. Dental bridges are not to be confused with partial dentures, although they can both restore a consecutive number of missing teeth. The main difference between the two treatments is that partials can be removed whenever a patient chooses to, while a bridge can’t. If you have further questions about this treatment, feel free to give us a call so we can get you started with a consultation!