Dental Bridges – Farmington Hills, MI
Lifelike Replacement Teeth to Close the Space in Your Smile
Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways, especially if you’ve lost a few consecutive teeth, which creates a wider gap. This might make you feel self-conscious about the changes to your appearance or impede your ability to eat or speak normally.
Fortunately, Dr. Saywa can provide lifelike replacement teeth to close the space in your smile by fitting you with a customized dental bridge. Continue reading to learn more about these restorations, and feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Radiant Dental for Dental Bridges?
- Digital Dental Impressions for Enhanced Accuracy
- Dentist with Over a Decade of Experience
- Flexible Financing Available
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is an oral appliance that contains the required number of pontics (artificial teeth) positioned between a dental crown on each side. They can replace one to four missing teeth in a row and are usually made from resilient, tooth-colored ceramic that can be made to resemble your natural enamel for lifelike results.
Potentially, anyone missing one or more teeth consecutively might benefit from getting a dental bridge, but that doesn’t make this the best treatment to meet everyone’s unique needs. Before proceeding, you must consult Dr. Saywa to verify whether you’re a good candidate.
Types of Dental Bridges
During your initial visit, our team will examine your mouth to determine your current dental condition and treat any areas of concern, such as tooth decay or gum disease, that could adversely impact the outcome.
Then, based on the status of your smile and the number of teeth that went missing, we might recommend one of the following options:
Traditional Dental Bridge
This is the standard type and is more common than an implant bridge. The dental crowns on each end are cemented over healthy abutment teeth on both sides of the space in your smile. Those who have more severely damaged or decayed enamel might not have enough healthy material to support one of these restorations and might do better with a different solution.
Implant Bridge
Implant bridges are very similar to their tried-and-true counterparts, except that instead of anchoring to your natural teeth, they are cemented to dental implants placed on both sides of the gap in your grin. Dr. Saywa has the advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment required to perform your oral surgery in the office, so there’s no need to refer you to an outside provider.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
There are several excellent reasons to consider getting a dental bridge with our team in Farmington Hills, including:
- Protect your dental alignment. Your restoration helps keep your remaining teeth from shifting out of place to fill empty spaces, which can cause cavities, injuries, or TMJ disorders.
- Boost your confidence. The resilient ceramic material reflects light naturally and can be customized to match the hue, size, and shape of your enamel for beautiful results you can feel proud of.
- Enhance your enunciation. Closing the gaps in your grin can help you overcome changes to your speech patterns caused by missing teeth.
- Restore your chewing power. Rebuilding your arches allows you to eat a wider variety of wholesome foods to support your oral and overall well-being.
- Enjoy Long-lasting results. This treatment often lasts 10 to 15+ years if properly cared for.
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
No, you cannot take out your own dental bridge. They were designed to remain in your mouth for many years after placement. Only a dental professional can safely remove a dental bridge.
Some healthcare professionals refer to partial dentures as “removable bridges,” however this is not entirely accurate. Partial dentures are similar to dental bridges, but one key difference is that partials can be removed by the patient at any time while dental bridges cannot.
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?
On average, you can expect your dental bridge to last between five and 15 years, but this can vary depending on the material your bridge is made from, as well as individual factors like your diet, oral hygiene, and if you have any dangerous oral habits like smoking, biting your nails, or grinding your teeth.
Bridges that replace the front teeth could last slightly longer than those towards the back of the mouth, as they’re not subjected to as much wear and tear from chewing.
If you have a dental implant bridge, it will likely last much longer than a traditional bridge. Although the restoration itself may need to be replaced eventually, the implant posts should remain in place for decades with proper care.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Depending on your individual needs, a dental bridge can replace between one and four consecutive missing teeth. However, in most cases they are used to replace only one or two teeth.
This is because the longer your bridge extends, the less stable it may become, especially if your natural teeth supporting it aren’t strong and healthy. Thus, it can become risky to have a bridge replace more than three teeth.
Implant bridges can lower this risk, as dental implants are just as strong if not stronger than natural teeth.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
No matter what material your dental bridge is made of it can’t be whitened like your real teeth. That’s because tooth enamel is full of tiny pores through which bleaching gels can enter to break apart stains. Dental restorations like bridges don’t have these pores, and therefore your bridge should always remain the same color.
Metal-free bridges are designed to blend in with your real teeth as closely as possible. To minimize the risk of your natural teeth becoming discolored and making your bridge stand out in your smile, speak to your dentist about getting professional teeth whitening before your bridge is created. That way, it can be matched to the ideal shade of your teeth!
