Dental Bridges

FIRST-RATE DENTAL BRIDGES

Dr. Bursich creates natural-looking, well-fitting bridges to cover the gaps left by one or more missing teeth.

A dental bridge can be an excellent, affordable solution to handle missing teeth without requiring the use of dental implants or partial dentures.

Even if you have a missing tooth at the back of your mouth that people don’t often see, getting the gap filled one way or another is very important to your overall oral health.

Why a bridge?

Spaces left by missing teeth affect the rest of your teeth. These gaps can cause chewing problems. If even one tooth is missing, other teeth may slowly shift out of place. This changes the way your teeth fit together. A poor bite may make your jaw sore. Your teeth may become harder to clean, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. And shifting teeth may change your smile.

What is a dental bridge?

A bridge is a device used to fill the space where a tooth has fallen out or been removed. A typical bridge consists of a pontic (a filler tooth) that is attached to two surrounding abutments (crowns). Once complete, this bridge structure is bonded into the abutment teeth and stays in permanently. It is not removable.

When missing teeth are not replaced right away, the face collapses and you get that sunken in look. Not replacing missing teeth also causes the surrounding teeth, including opposing teeth, to shift undesirably. This can lead to occlusion (bite) problems, jaw problems, gum problems and problems of facial asymmetry. The best time to replace a missing tooth is immediately after it is removed.

Are dental bridges the best option?

In some cases they may be. Bridges are natural in appearance, and usually require only two visits to your dentist. If you maintain good oral hygiene, your fixed bridge should last as many as ten years or more.

In many cases, Dr. Bursich may recommend that a dental implant is a better option. A dental implant will function like a tooth root and keeps the supporting bone in place otherwise the bone shrinks and moves. A bridge requires the two teeth on either side to be reshaped or cut down, and if these teeth don’t presently have any cavities or crowns, an implant sometimes can be a better option.

For more information about whether a dental bridge will work for you and to discuss which option is best, make an appointment with Dr. Bursich at our Sterling Dental Clinic.

Make An Appointment

At Sterling Dental Center, we are always available to answer any questions, or to help find an appointment time that works best for you! Please feel free to call or book an appointment today!