Dental Bridges
A missing tooth is more than just a cosmetic concern –– it can also impair the proper functioning of your mouth and your overall oral health. At Dental Studios, located in summit and Westfield, New Jersey, Drs. Daniel Butensky and Richard Procopio offer high-quality dental bridges to replace missing teeth. To restore the fullness of your smile, call the office and schedule a consultation or book online today.
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge is a fixed prosthetic device that replaces a missing tooth. It’s essentially a false tooth or pontic, that fills the space above your gums where you’re missing a tooth. Common materials for bridges include porcelain and composite resin, which looks just like natural tooth enamel and enables your bridge to blend in seamlessly with your smile.
How do dental bridges work?
A bridge holds its pontic in place by attaching to the teeth that are adjacent to your missing tooth (known as your abutment teeth). Depending on the condition of your mouth, your dentist might recommend a:
Traditional bridge
A traditional bridge has crowns sealed to either side of its pontic. Your dentist seals those crowns to your abutment teeth, securing the pontic in between to bridge the gap between teeth.
Cantilever bridge
Like a traditional bridge, a cantilever bridge also uses crowns to secure the false tooth, but instead of two crowns, a cantilever bridge only has one. A cantilever bridge is an excellent option if you don’t have two abutment teeth that can support crowns.
Maryland bonded bridge
If your abutment teeth can’t support crowns at all, you might need a Maryland bonded bridge to replace your missing tooth. A Maryland bonded bridge has a metal or ceramic framework attached to its pontic. Your dentist seals that framework on the backside of your abutment teeth.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge?
There are many benefits to replacing your missing tooth with a bridge, including:
- Improved appearance
- Easier to eat and chew up your food
- Enhanced speaking ability
- Keep your teeth fixed in their current alignment
- Evenly distribute the force in your bite
Your mouth works best with all of its teeth in their proper place. Ultimately, a bridge restores your smile so that it can function optimally.
How do I care for my dental bridge?
One of the benefits of a bridge is that it doesn’t require any sort of special care or maintenance. You can keep it clean by brushing it and flossing around it like you would with your normal teeth. You should also make sure to maintain regular dental cleanings and exams with Dental Studios to ensure the longevity of your bridge.
Don’t let a missing tooth impact your smile for any longer than it already has. Schedule a consultation with Dental Studios today to learn more about what a bridge can do for you. Book your visit by calling the offices or using the convenient online scheduling tool.