All your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing, and maintaining the proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss can lead to difficulty speaking and chewing and affect bite comfort. Fortunately, Dr. Cynthia Elderkin and Dr. Claudel Giggey offer options to address tooth loss and replace missing teeth. A bridge is a restorative dental care procedure that can replace a missing tooth or multiple consecutive teeth. Our team can create custom-made dental bridges for patients in Raleigh, NC.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth attached to adjacent natural teeth. A pontic or false tooth replaces the lost tooth, while the adjacent teeth receive dental crowns. Bridges can be constructed with porcelain or metal, or a combination of both. A single dental implant can also replace a dental bridge if a patient has one missing tooth.
Dental implants ensure that the bridge stays fixed. The implant posts also restore teeth at the root, meaning they look and feel like natural teeth. Although implant bridges have a lengthier process, they can provide permanent treatment.
Getting a Dental Bridge in Raleigh, NC
During treatment planning, we will discuss if a traditional or implant bridge is right for you. To begin dental bridge treatment, we will take dental impressions and prepare natural teeth for crowns and bridge appliances. Before implant bridge treatment, we ensure that patients have enough jaw bone to support their implants.
We will refer patients to an oral surgeon for dental implant treatment. Then, we take impressions for the bridge. We send these impressions to a lab that creates the restoration. When the bridge is complete, we ensure that it fits properly and feels comfortable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions for us? We can help. Read answers to common questions about dental bridges in Raleigh, NC.
What are bridges made of?
Dental bridges can be made from porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. Porcelain is often used because it looks natural, like your real teeth. Metal or metal-porcelain combinations are strong and long-lasting.
How do I take care of my dental bridge?
First, brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to clean all sides of the bridge.
Flossing is also very important. Use a floss threader or a special dental bridge floss to get under the false tooth (pontic) and remove food and plaque. Interdental brushes can help, too. They fit between teeth and around the bridge to clean areas a regular toothbrush might miss.
What are the benefits of wearing a dental bridge?
Wearing a dental bridge can help you chew and speak more easily. It also supports your lips and cheeks to keep your face from looking sunken. Filling gaps left by missing teeth with a bridge also prevents your other teeth from shifting, which protects your bite and overall dental health. Plus, it restores your teeth to give you a confidence boost.
Can getting a dental bridge improve my speech?
Yes. Missing teeth can make it harder to pronounce certain sounds clearly. A dental bridge fills in the gap left by missing teeth, which helps your tongue and lips move the right way when you speak. While it can take time to get used to your new teeth, your speech can quickly improve with practice.
How long does it take to get a dental bridge in Raleigh?
Getting a dental bridge usually takes two to three visits for a traditional bridge. It often takes several weeks to get your final bridge.
If you choose an implant-supported bridge, it can take longer because the implant needs time to heal in the jaw before we place the bridge. You may also need pretreatments like bone grafting to prepare for implants. Our dentists will guide you through each step and will give you an estimate of your dental bridge timeline.
Are partial dentures the same as dental bridges?
No. A dental bridge is fixed in place and is usually used to replace one or several missing teeth in a row. Bridges are commonly placed in areas where teeth are missing between two healthy teeth, either in the front or back of the mouth.
A partial denture is removable and is often used when multiple teeth are missing in different areas of the mouth. Partials can replace teeth on one side or both sides of the upper or lower jaw. They rest on the gums and may use clasps to stay in place
Bridge Missing Tooth Gaps Today
Do you need a new bridge? Call Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 919-295-0936 to get a new dental bridge. You can also request a dental consultation with us online.