Dental Bridges Reynoldsburg
Losing teeth isn’t just something that happens to children–sometimes, despite your best efforts, adults can lose teeth due to injury, decay or disease. Dr. McKibben, Dr. Ehrbar, and the McKibben Dental team recognize this and offer a wide range of services to replace a missing tooth, like dental bridges.
Dental bridges work by seamlessly bridging the gap between two healthy teeth with a fixed bridge to match surrounding teeth. This repairs both the strength of your bite and the look of your naturally beautiful smile.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic that fills a gap left by missing teeth. The appliance is supported by adjacent teeth instead of using a post, or artificial roots, like a dental implant.
To support the bridge, Dr. McKibben and Dr. Ehrbar will place a dental crown, or tooth cap, on the healthy abutment teeth between the gap. The fake teeth, or pontic, within the bridge then connects to the supporting abutment teeth.
Different types of bridges include porcelain and ceramic, and both are uniquely designed to match your natural surrounding teeth.
Who Should Get a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are a highly durable and aesthetically pleasing treatment option for patients missing a tooth. If you have a gap from a missing tooth with healthy, strong adjacent teeth, a bridge may be a solid alternative to getting a single tooth implant.
Since bridges do not have replacement roots like dental implants do, they must be between remaining teeth healthy enough to both support the new bridge and sustain the typical pressure and force of biting and chewing. For this reason, dental bridges are best for just replacing one to three teeth.
If a patient is missing more than three teeth, a different restorative solution like partial dentures or dental implants is best. Since bridges can collapse if too much pressure is applied, a solution with artificial roots is best for larger areas.
How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?
Similar to implants, dentures and other false teeth appliances, dental bridges will not decay like a natural tooth. However, though, proper care and upkeep is still absolutely necessary to get the most use out of your bridge.
By brushing, flossing and maintaining regular dental hygiene appointments, your dental bridge can last up to 15 years without needing a replacement. Usually, patients can get at least 10 years of use from their bridge.
Like a natural tooth, bridges can get chipped, cracked or damaged. If this happens, contact us as soon as possible at 614-575-9530 to get a replacement.
Looking for a Dental Bridge Near You in Reynoldsburg and the Surrounding Columbus area?
At McKibben Dental, our expert team specializes in restorative dentistry solutions that repair your smile and mouth back to total oral and aesthetic health. Call our office at 614-575-9530 to discuss all of the services we offer to restore, protect and maintain your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. After you adjust to your new dental bridge, you should be able to enjoy most of the foods you ate before tooth loss. It’s still a good idea to avoid chewing on very hard items like ice or hard candy, as these can damage both natural teeth and your dental restoration.
A dental bridge requires special cleaning beneath the replacement tooth to remove food particles and plaque. Your dentist may recommend floss threaders, interdental brushes, or water flossers to help keep the area clean. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps protect the supporting teeth and extend the life of your bridge.
Modern dental bridges are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth. The goal is to create a restoration that blends naturally with your smile, allowing most people to be unable to distinguish the bridge from your natural teeth.
The health of the supporting teeth is essential to the long-term success of your bridge. Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to monitor these teeth for cavities, gum disease, or wear. Patients in Reynoldsburg, OH who maintain consistent preventive care are more likely to keep their bridge functioning well for many years.
Replacing a missing tooth can help maintain proper bite alignment, reduce excess stress on neighboring teeth, and improve chewing ability. During your consultation in Reynoldsburg, OH, your dentist can explain whether a dental bridge or another tooth replacement option is the best fit for your oral health and long-term goals.
