Dental Bridges – Durham, NC
Replace Multiple Missing Teeth at Once
If you have multiple missing teeth in Durham, you might be worried about how you’re going to replace them all. Fortunately, at Crafting Smiles, you won’t have to get several different restorations just to “bridge” your gap! A dental bridge can replace up to four consecutive empty sockets all at once. Contact our team to learn more about this convenient restoration or keep reading for a treatment overview.
Why Choose Crafting Smiles For Dental Bridges?
- Save Money with Our Membership Plan
- Advanced Technology Makes Treatment More Comfortable
- Transparent and Honest Care
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is designed to replace one to four teeth that are missing in a row. Two crowns will be fitted over the healthy teeth on either side of your dental gap. They’ll be fused with the prosthetic teeth (or “pontics) that will actually fill your empty sockets. So, basically, the crowns provide essential support for the entire restoration, while the pontics complete your smile. Since we use high-quality, tooth-colored materials, your bridge will look almost identical to your natural pearly whites.
Types of Dental Bridges
Technically speaking, there are two different types of dental bridges. One is more traditional and might be what you’re most familiar with. The other is a bit more advanced and combines your restoration with dental implants.
Traditional Dental Bridges
The bridge described above is a traditional bridge. Its main feature is the crowns on either side of the restoration, and it’s an excellent replacement for one or more missing teeth.
Implant Bridges
Implant bridges are exactly like traditional bridges – except that instead of using crowns for support, we’ll “bookend” your restoration with dental implants. Implant bridges are often more stable and durable, and work best if you’re missing three or more pearly whites.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Restoring your smile with a dental bridge in Durham means enjoying several health- and aesthetic-related benefits. For example:
- Your remaining natural teeth will be prevented from drifting into crooked positions.
- It will be much easier to chew and maintain a balanced diet.
- Oral hygiene will be a breeze – simply brush twice daily and floss at least once per day.
- Your grin will look perfectly seamless.
- You’ll restore not only your dental line-up, but also your confidence!
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can You Take Out Dental Bridges?
No, dental bridges are designed to be fixed in the mouth for many years after being placed. You shouldn’t be able to take out a bridge on your own. This can only be done by a dental professional. Some healthcare providers call partial dentures “removable bridge,” though this isn’t entirely accurate. Partials are similar dental bridges, but one of the key differences is that partials can be removed by the patient at any time, while bridges cannot.
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Before we prepare your teeth to support the bridge, we will start by numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Oral conscious sedation is also available for anxious patients. After the preparation and placement of the dental bridge, the underlying teeth will likely feel sensitive for the next few days. Taking OTC pain relievers is typically enough to help. Because bridges prevent the surrounding teeth from drifting out of place, they can actually prevent discomfort later on caused by dental drift.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Depending on your needs, a dental bridge can replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth in a row. However, in most cases, it is best to use bridges to replace only one or two teeth. The longer a bridge extends, the less stable it may become, so it can be risky to have a bridge replace three or more teeth. Implant bridges can lower this risk as they are just as strong and secure as natural teeth.
How Soon Can You Get a Bridge After a Tooth Extraction?
After a tooth extraction, your gums and jawbone need time to heal, so bridges can’t be placed too soon. The duration of this healing process can vary based on the state of your oral health, but for most people this takes between eight and twelve weeks. If you are getting an implant bridge, it might be possible to have the implants placed immediately after your extractions and restored with a temporary bridge during the healing process. During your consultation, we will be able to give you a more specific estimated timeline that applies to you.