Downtown Dental Specialty in San Diego offers custom, fixed dental bridges for our patients who need to replace their missing teeth. Although bridges have been used for years, they continue to provide important benefits and newer modifications, expanding the level of care we’re able to provide our patients.
What is a Dental Crown?
Before we explain what a dental bridge is, it’s essential to understand the role of dental crowns. A dental crown is a custom-made cover that is placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its strength and appearance. When it comes to bridges, the end of these multi-tooth restorations essentially consists of a crown. These crowns serve as sturdy anchors for the bridge, attaching it to the adjacent teeth or even a dental implant on each side. Then an artificial crown called a “pontic” is fused between them, creating a solid prosthesis that “bridges” the open space in your smile.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a restoration used to replace a missing tooth. The ends act as functional crowns for stability (but they can also reinforce the supporting teeth), and false crowns/pontics are fused between them.
The purpose of a dental bridge goes beyond filling in the gap created by missing teeth. It also helps to:
- Restore your ability to chew properly
- Support your soft facial tissues
- Distribute the forces in your bite evenly across your mouth
- Prevent your adjacent teeth from shifting out of position
- Prevent the opposing tooth from “super erupting”
Can Dental Bridges Improve My Smile?
Absolutely! Dental bridges offer both functional and cosmetic enhancements, improving the aesthetics of your smile as they replace missing teeth. Whether it’s a single tooth or several, a well-crafted dental bridge can seamlessly blend in with your neighboring teeth, giving you a beautiful and complete smile.
Since each of our bridges is crafted from durable ceramic or porcelain materials, we can specify the shade of each tooth, as well as the contour and size. This allows your fixed restoration to look as natural as possible.
At Downtown Dental Specialty, we take pride in our ability to create dental bridges that not only restore functionality but also enhance the = beauty of your smile. Our San Diego dentists will work closely with you to ensure that the color, shape, and size of your bridge match your existing teeth, providing a harmonious and natural appearance.
Can I Eat Normally with a Dental Bridge?
One of the most significant advantages of dental bridges is their ability to restore your ability to eat and chew normally. Missing teeth can make it challenging to bite into certain foods, affecting your nutritional intake. Bridges are just as durable as crowns, so you can continue to enjoy most of your favorite meals.
However, we do recommend that you avoid biting into extremely hard or sticky foods, as these can potentially damage the bridge or cause it to come loose. You’ll also want to clean around your bridge each day with a water flosser or traditional floss to
Can Dental Bridges Be Combined with Other Dental Treatments?
Dental bridges can often be combined with other dental treatments to achieve comprehensive results. Particularly dental implants. Downtown Dental Specialty frequently pairs implants together to support multi-tooth dental bridges. These designs can eliminate the need for wearing a removable partial denture. There are even wider types of prosthesis designs anchored onto sets of 4-6 implants, creating a hybrid type of extended bridge/denture to restore an entire set of upper or lower teeth.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect during a dental bridge placement, why not take the next step toward improving your smile and overall oral health? Downtown Dental Specialty in San Diego is committed to providing you with the highest level of care.
Contact our office today to discuss your tooth replacement options. A healthier, happier you is just around the corner!
