Bridges

Dental bridges are a beautiful way to restore missing teeth. At Oral Implants & Reconstructive Dentistry, we use dental bridges to replace one, two, or even several teeth in a row. Because bridges work by using a framework of crowns, they look and feel just like natural teeth. Restore the appearance and function of your smile with a custom dental bridge!

What Are Dental Bridges?

We use dental bridges to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. These tooth replacements are made from high-quality, custom dental crowns. We carefully adjust their shape and color to ensure they blend into the rest of your smile. Bridges are some of the most functional, natural-looking replacement options available.

A traditional bridge consists of three main parts – the tooth replacement, known as the pontic, and two support teeth, known as abutments. If you need a single tooth replaced, we will attach a custom crown to each abutment tooth on either side of the gap. After we have placed crowns over the natural teeth, we will attach the replacement tooth. The two abutment teeth on either side will support the replacement and hold it in place. The artificial tooth will not have a root system, so it will require the two abutments for support.

What Is the Procedure?

Dr. Heller or Dr. DiDonato will begin your visit with a consultation to examine your teeth and discuss your oral health goals and concerns. Since traditional bridges do not have an artificial root structure, they are ideal for replacing only one, two, or sometimes three teeth in a row. After your dentist decided that bridges are the right tooth replacement option for you, they will take detailed scans of your teeth to ensure your crowns match the color and shape of your natural teeth.

Once your crowns are ready, Dr. Heller or Dr. DiDonato will prepare your teeth. They will need to file down each abutment tooth to ensure everything fits properly and securely. There is no need to worry, though. They will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around these teeth so you will not feel any discomfort. This procedure is safe and painless.

The final step will be to place your new restoration. Once your bridge is in place, Dr. Heller or Dr. DiDonato will polish your crowns and make any final adjustments to ensure everything is comfortable.

How Do I Care for My Bridge?

Like natural teeth, crowns can become damaged or discolored. To avoid this, be sure to continue brushing and flossing daily. Using a toothpaste with fluoride will help prevent cavities and keep your teeth strong.

Hard foods and substances such as ice, olive pits, and popcorn kernels can damage your crowns, so it is best to avoid these things whenever possible. If your bridge becomes damaged, please call us right away so we can make repairs.

If you think you may be a candidate for a dental bridge, please call our office at 614-885-1215. We would be happy to answer any of your questions or schedule a consultation!