Dental Bridges

If you have recently lost a tooth or more than one tooth, our team can provide you aesthetic dental bridges in Durham, North Carolina, to create a bridge for the gap in your lost teeth. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of dental bridges, please call Providence Smiles today at 919-682-4861 and set up a visit with our dentist, Dr. Kwame Gyampo!

Complete Your Smile

If you are missing a single tooth or several teeth in a row, a dental bridge could be a good solution for your smile. This restoration literally “bridges” the gap between your teeth, completing your smile to restore your appearance and your ability to eat and speak normally. A dental bridge is a fixed, or nonremovable, restoration and consists of one or more prosthetic teeth that are anchored in place using dental crowns on either side of the bridge. In some cases, your bridge may be anchored using dental implants. Bridges usually take two appointments to complete.

Live With Confidence

Dental bridges restore your confident smile, allowing you to eat and speak properly once again. Our dentist may recommend a dental bridge to improve your smile by:

• Alleviating excess stress on your bite
• Enhancing the appearance of your smile
• Preventing your natural teeth from shifting out of their proper positions
• Replacing removable partial dentures
• Supporting the shape and volume of your face

Your bridge will last for many years, so you can always feel confident in your smile.

FAQ

How many teeth can a bridge replace?

Dental bridges may be recommended to replace one to four teeth. In most cases, patients replace one or two teeth. This is due to the fact that for a greater the number of missing teeth, the more crowns are needed to support the bridge and keep it stable. If you need to replace more teeth, our dentist may recommend that you consider replacing your missing teeth with dentures or dental implants rather than a dental bridge.

Is a bridge the best choice to replace a missing tooth?

As with all dental treatments, bridges have benefits as well as drawbacks. Dental bridges are a great solution in that they give you back a brilliant, natural-looking smile and restore your oral function. They are often simpler and quicker to complete as well as being more affordable than other tooth replacement options. Some downsides of bridges are that they will eventually need to be replaced and that they do not replace the tooth roots, so your supporting bone may eventually become less stable as a result. Our dentist will review all your options with you and discuss whether or not a dental bridge is right for you.

How do I care for my dental bridge?

Your dental bridge will require similar care to your natural teeth. Here are a few guidelines on how to keep your bridge in good condition and maintain your beautiful smile:

• Brush at least twice each day. Ideally, you should brush after each meal and before going to sleep at night. This will help remove plaque, food debris and other irritants that may cause problems for your teeth and oral health. We recommend that you avoid using whitening pastes, as they can be abrasive and may damage your bridge.
• Floss daily. Your bridge is supported by adjacent teeth. If these teeth become, compromised you could lose your entire restoration. Floss all your natural teeth at least once a day to reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other problems.
• Clean underneath your bridge. You need to clean underneath your bridge regularly to remove debris and food particles from the space between your bridge and your gums. You may use oral hygiene aids such as floss threaders, dental picks or interproximal brushes. Our dentist and team will discuss products with you to find the best option for you to use when cleaning under your bridge.
• Make and keep regular dental appointments. Regular exams and cleanings are vital to maintaining good oral health. If you have a bridge or other restoration, making and keeping your regular dental visits is even more important as it allows our dentist to monitor your oral health, provided needed treatments and make sure your bridge is functioning properly for you.