Smile Freely Again
Losing teeth can negatively impact your smile and self-confidence. Gaps from missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious about showing your smile openly. Fortunately, modern dentistry provides excellent tooth replacement solutions to restore your confident smile. High-quality dental bridges can durably fill gaps left by lost teeth.
Transforming smiles boosts oral health while renewing self-assurance. At Bell Family Dentistry, our Riverbank, CA, dentist, Dr. Brent Bell, aims to understand your needs and thoughtfully discuss options to replace missing teeth.
Our goal is to help you smile comfortably and confidently again. Contact us today at (209) 869-4505 to start that journey.
What are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They’re attached on each side of the gap to natural teeth or dental implants. Unlike removable devices like dentures, dental bridges are permanently attached and can't be removed from your mouth.
Bridges are made up of two crowns that fit on the anchoring teeth on either side of the gap and false teeth in between that fill the space. The crown over each anchoring tooth is custom-made to seamlessly blend with your natural teeth. Bridges not only restore your smile but also help maintain the shape of your face and prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
The Process at Bell Family Dentistry
The dental bridge process usually takes two or more visits over a couple of weeks. The first appointment involves preparing the abutment teeth on each side that will anchor the bridge. Dr. Bell will reshape these teeth and take impressions that will be sent to a lab to create your custom-fit bridge.
At the second visit to Bell Family Dentistry in Riverbank, Dr. Bell will fit the permanent bridge and make necessary adjustments to ensure proper bite and comfort. The bridge will then be attached permanently with dental cement. Your new restoration will look and feel completely natural. With good dental hygiene, a bridge can last over a decade.
Schedule regular checkups with Dr. Bell every six months and contact our Riverbank dental office if you experience any pain, swelling, or changes involving your dental bridge.
Advantages of Dental Bridges
Some key advantages of dental bridges that Dr. Brent Bell provides patients in the Riverbank area include:
- Maintains your natural face shape by preventing bone loss from missing teeth
- Restores your smile and allows you to eat normally without gaps between teeth
- Permanent solution that, unlike dentures, stays securely in place
- Protects healthy adjacent teeth from shifting positions
- Can last 10 to 15 years with proper care
- Made from durable, lifelike materials to seamlessly blend with your smile
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
Dental bridges can last over a decade with proper oral hygiene and care. Dr. Bell recommends these tips to Riverbank patients for optimal bridge maintenance:
- Brush carefully around the bridge at a minimum twice per day using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste
- Floss at least once daily, taking care to floss between teeth and under the bridge thoroughly
- Rinse daily with an antiseptic mouthwash to remove debris
- Have regular dental cleanings and exams with Dr. Bell every six months
- Avoid chewing hard foods like ice or popcorn kernels, which can damage the bridge
- Report any looseness, pain, or changes in the fit of the bridge to our Riverbank dental office
Following these guidelines helps prevent decay around bridge abutments, keeps the bridge securely bonded, and minimizes bacterial buildup that can lead to complications. Ask Dr. Bell for advice if you have any other questions about properly caring for your dental bridge restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a dental implant, or can a bridge work?
Dental bridges attach to the teeth on either side of a gap, while an implant is anchored directly into the jawbone. Your dentist will examine your specific case and determine if you have adequate natural tooth and bone support for a bridge or would benefit more from a dental implant that stands alone. This decision depends on factors like the location of missing tooth/teeth and the health of surrounding areas.
What foods should I avoid with a bridge?
You should avoid very sticky foods like caramels or chewing gum that could loosen or dislodge bridges. Also, limit hard, crunchy, or acidic foods that can damage or wear down the bridge material itself or surrounding teeth anchoring the restoration. Check with your dentist if you have questions about your bridge’s durability with certain foods.
Do bridges feel different than natural teeth?
With today's modern materials like porcelain fused to metal, bridges are custom-designed for precision fit so they feel extremely natural and allow comfortable chewing, biting, and smiling. The artificial teeth are shaped, colored, and contoured to seamlessly blend with your existing natural teeth.
How long does a dental bridge procedure take?
The length of the procedure depends on how many teeth are involved in the bridge, but generally, it takes one to two appointments spaced several days to weeks apart, with each visit lasting one to three hours. The initial visit focuses on prepping the abutment teeth anchors and taking impressions, while the second longer appointment involves the insertion of the finished bridge.
Let Us Help Transform Your Smile
Don’t let missing teeth continue diminishing your quality of life. With advanced dental bridge solutions available today, you can restore your healthy smile, confident chewing ability, and youthful facial contours. The skilled dental professionals in our Riverbank dental office consider it a true privilege to develop trusting relationships with patients while transforming their oral health.
Our caring team eagerly awaits your call to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable dentist. We’ll compassionately evaluate your needs and recommend a treatment plan to give you the strong, beautiful smile you deserve. Schedule your appointment at (209) 869-4505.
