Dental Bridges in Greenwich, CT
Missing teeth can affect more than the appearance of your smile. Gaps may make it harder to chew or speak comfortably and can allow neighboring teeth to gradually shift out of position.
A dental bridge provides a fixed solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. Our dental practice customizes bridges to restore the appearance and function of your smile while helping maintain proper tooth alignment and bite.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration designed to fill the space left by one or more missing teeth. Unlike a removable denture, a bridge stays in place and is supported by surrounding teeth or, in appropriate cases, dental implants.
A traditional bridge typically consists of one or more artificial replacement teeth, called pontics, supported by dental crowns placed on the natural teeth beside the gap.
The completed restoration is designed to blend with the surrounding teeth while restoring comfortable biting, chewing, and speaking.
When Is a Dental Bridge Recommended?
A dental bridge may be an option when one or more teeth are missing, and there are healthy structures available to support the restoration.
Replacing missing teeth can help:
- Restore your ability to bite and chew comfortably
- Improve the appearance of your smile
- Support clearer speech
- Prevent nearby teeth from shifting into open spaces
- Maintain the alignment of your bite
- Distribute biting forces more evenly
The condition of your remaining teeth, gums, and supporting bone will help determine whether a bridge or another tooth replacement option is most appropriate.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Fixed Tooth Replacement
Unlike removable dentures, a fixed bridge remains securely in place during everyday activities such as eating and speaking.
Restores Your Smile
Replacement teeth can be customized for shape, size, and color to create a natural-looking result that complements the surrounding teeth.
Supports Dental Function
Filling the space created by missing teeth can make chewing and speaking more comfortable.
Helps Maintain Tooth Alignment
Replacing a missing tooth can help prevent neighboring teeth from gradually drifting into the open space and altering your bite.
Types of Dental Bridges
The type of bridge recommended depends on the location and number of missing teeth, the condition of the surrounding teeth, and the amount of available support.
Traditional Fixed Bridges
A traditional bridge uses crowns placed on the natural teeth adjacent to the gap. These supporting teeth hold one or more artificial teeth securely between them.
Because the supporting teeth must be strong enough to hold the restoration, their condition and the health of the surrounding gums and bone are important considerations.
Implant-Supported Bridges
An implant-supported bridge uses dental implants rather than neighboring natural teeth for support. This can allow multiple missing teeth to be replaced without preparing adjacent teeth for crowns.
Whether a traditional or implant-supported bridge is appropriate depends on your oral health, the number and location of missing teeth, and other individual factors.
What to Expect When Getting a Traditional Dental Bridge
For a traditional bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap are prepared to support dental crowns. Records of the area are then used to create a bridge that fits your teeth, bite, and smile.
A temporary restoration may be placed while the final bridge is being fabricated. Because temporary restorations are not as strong as the finished bridge, you may need to take extra care while eating and cleaning around them.
Once the permanent bridge is ready, your dentist checks its fit, appearance, and bite before securing it in place. Minor adjustments may be made to ensure that the restoration feels comfortable when you bite and chew.
Dental Bridges vs. Dentures
Both dental bridges and dentures can replace missing teeth, but they work differently.
A bridge is fixed in place and typically replaces one or several missing teeth using neighboring teeth or implants for support. A denture is removable and can replace several teeth or an entire arch of missing teeth.
The better choice depends on how many teeth are missing, where they are located, the health of the remaining teeth, and your individual preferences and oral health needs.
Caring for a Dental Bridge
Good oral hygiene is especially important around a dental bridge. Although the replacement tooth cannot develop decay, the natural teeth supporting a traditional bridge remain vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.
Brush your teeth regularly and clean carefully around and underneath the bridge as directed by your dental team. Your dental team may recommend specialized flossing techniques or other cleaning tools to remove plaque and food debris beneath the replacement tooth.
Routine dental examinations and professional cleanings also allow your dentist to monitor the bridge and the health of its supporting teeth and gums.
With proper home care and regular dental visits, a dental bridge can provide many years of function.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges
How long does a dental bridge last?
The lifespan of a dental bridge varies depending on oral hygiene, the health of the supporting teeth and gums, bite forces, and other individual factors. Greenwich Smiles notes that bridges commonly last 10 to 15 years and may last longer with good home care and regular dental visits.
Will a dental bridge look natural?
A bridge is customized to fit your smile. The shape, shade, contours, and bite of the restoration are checked before it is secured so the replacement teeth can blend with your surrounding smile.
Is a dental bridge removable?
Traditional fixed bridges are not designed to be removed by the patient. They are secured to supporting teeth and remain in place during eating, speaking, brushing, and other daily activities.
Do the teeth next to a bridge need crowns?
With a traditional fixed bridge, the natural teeth beside the missing space are typically prepared for crowns that support the replacement tooth or teeth. Implant-supported bridges use dental implants instead of neighboring teeth for support.
How do I clean underneath a dental bridge?
The area beneath a bridge requires regular cleaning because food and plaque can collect around the restoration. Your dental team can show you how to use floss or other appropriate cleaning aids underneath the bridge.
Does dental insurance cover a bridge?
Many dental insurance plans provide some coverage for bridges, but benefits and out-of-pocket costs vary considerably by plan. Contact Greenwich Smiles to verify your specific insurance benefits before treatment.
What happens if I do not replace a missing tooth?
Leaving a space untreated can allow neighboring teeth to shift, affect the way your teeth come together, and make chewing more difficult. The effects depend on the location of the missing tooth and your individual bite, so your dentist can explain whether replacement is recommended in your situation.