Dental Bridges Serving Cincinnati, OH
If you have missing teeth, there are many reasons to consider dental bridges. Bridges restore proper function to your mouth and aesthetic appeal to your smile. They give you greater confidence in social situations, and improve the overall health of your jaw by preventing drifting of remaining teeth and changes in your bite. There is also less time and expense involved in the procedure when compared with other traditional options, such as dentures and dental implants.
Dental Bridge Options
Like all bridges, a dental bridge needs a sturdy foundation at both ends. A dentist secures a bridge by attaching the ends to either crowns on natural teeth or dental implants that are implanted for the purpose.
Although the concept of a dental bridge reaches back centuries, there are many modern options to consider when it comes to materials, shape and placement. The types most often attached to crowns are conventional or cantilever bridges. During the process, your natural tooth will be slightly reshaped to accommodate the crown. Bridges made today are all porcelain and have a very natural color and appearance at the gum line.
Placing Your Porcelain Bridges
We use a full digital process to make your porcelain bridge. That means no messy molds or impressions in your mouth. This adds to the comfort our patients enjoy during the procedure. CEREC technology allows our technician to fabricate the bridge in our ceramic laboratory on-site. This allows us to have very short turnaround times that are typically less than five working days until your permanent bridge is ready to be delivered! Having our own laboratory on-site also helps add customization to your new smile that makes it even more natural.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Bridges are appropriate for a variety of cases, from a single gap to many missing teeth. Attached to the bridge are the natural-looking fabricated teeth that will fill gaps and add appeal to your smile. If your bridge will be attached to crowns on adjacent teeth, Dr. Pearce will closely examine these teeth, as well as nearby gums, to determine if they are healthy enough to provide stability for the bridge. Any cavities will be filled, and any indication of gum disease will also require periodontal treatment.
If your bridge will be secured by dental implants, strong titanium posts will be implanted in the jaw to provide an anchor. In addition to their role of providing stability to your bridge, these titanium “roots” are topped with a false tooth to fill a gap with a natural-looking replacement.
To learn more about dental bridges, schedule an appointment with experienced southwestern Ohio dentist Dr. Troy Pearce by contacting our Cincinnati office today.
