8221 Glades Road, Suite 4, Boca Raton, FL 33434
Restore Your Smile and Protect Your Oral Health
It is important to understand that replacing a missing tooth is about far more than appearance. After losing a tooth, the surrounding teeth can begin to shift out of place, and everyday activities like biting, chewing, and speaking can become more difficult. Over time, the resulting changes in your jawbone can even affect your overall facial structure. At Glades Dental Group in Boca Raton, we offer custom dental bridges to close the gap left by missing teeth and protect the long-term health of your smile.
Replacing missing or severely damaged teeth is essential to keeping your mouth healthy for years to come. A missing tooth can cause much more than an unsightly gap. When a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth tend to drift toward the empty space, changing the alignment of your bite and even altering your facial aesthetics. A dental bridge stops this process by filling the gap and stabilizing the neighboring teeth, restoring both the function and the beauty of your smile.
Explore Your Bridge Options
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is designed to replace a missing tooth while stabilizing the teeth on either side of the gap. There are a few different types of bridges available, but in most cases a bridge consists of a false tooth, known as a pontic, that is supported by one or more neighboring teeth. Unlike a dental implant, a tooth replaced by a bridge is not directly rooted in your jaw. Instead, it is anchored securely to the adjacent teeth, effectively bridging the space left behind by the missing tooth.
Bridges are a time-tested, effective solution for tooth loss, and they can dramatically improve both the function and appearance of your smile. During your consultation at Glades Dental Group, our dentists will help you understand which type of bridge is best suited to your needs.
Who Is a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge may be an excellent option for you if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth in a row
- Have healthy teeth on either side of the gap to support the bridge
- Want to restore your ability to chew and speak comfortably
- Are looking to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting
- Prefer a fixed, non-removable tooth replacement option
- Have good overall oral health and healthy gums
During your visit, our dentists will evaluate your teeth, gums, and overall oral health to determine whether a bridge is the right solution for you or whether another option may better suit your needs.
Types of Dental Bridges We Offer
Not every smile is the same, which is why we offer several types of dental bridges at Glades Dental Group. Understanding your options helps you feel confident in your treatment decision.
Traditional Bridge
The most common type of dental bridge is the traditional bridge. This consists of a pontic tooth attached to two dental crowns that cover the adjacent teeth. To fit the crowns over these supporting teeth, the dentist files them down slightly to make room. The crowns, sometimes called abutments, are then placed over your reshaped teeth and secured with a composite bonding resin. Traditional bridges are strong, reliable, and well suited to most areas of the mouth.
Cantilever Bridge
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, but the pontic attaches to only one abutment instead of two. Because it is secured on just one side, this type of bridge is most often used for teeth toward the very back of the mouth, where support on both sides may not be available.
Maryland Bridge
A Maryland bridge takes a different approach. Instead of using crowns to hold the pontic in place, it uses metal or porcelain bands that attach to the neighboring teeth with bonding resin. The main advantage is that none of your natural teeth need to be filed down. The tradeoff is that Maryland bridges are not as strong as traditional bridges and may not be suitable for replacing molars, which endure much greater force during chewing.
What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge
Getting a dental bridge is more involved than a routine checkup, but our team makes the process as smooth and comfortable as possible. If you have had a dental crown in the past, getting a bridge will feel like a similar experience. It typically takes more than one appointment to prepare your teeth and place the bridge. If any of the supporting teeth need additional work, such as a filling or root canal, that treatment must be completed first.
Preparing the Supporting Teeth
Once any necessary treatment is complete, the dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the supporting teeth to make room for the abutment crowns.
01
Taking an Impression
We take a mold of the area and send it to a dental lab, where your personalized bridge is carefully crafted. This usually takes a few weeks.
02
Placing a Temporary Bridge
While you wait for your custom restoration, we provide a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and maintain your smile.
03
Placing the Permanent Bridge
At your final appointment, the dentist places your permanent bridge and makes any adjustments needed to ensure a comfortable, secure fit.
04
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
How long your bridge lasts depends largely on how well you care for it. With proper maintenance, a dental bridge can last well over 10 years. To get the longest possible lifespan from your bridge, brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and clean underneath the pontic to remove trapped food and bacteria. Regular teeth cleanings and checkups at Glades Dental Group are also essential, allowing our team to monitor your bridge and keep your smile healthy for the long term.
Restore Your Smile With a Dental Bridge in Boca Raton
You do not have to live with the gap left by a missing tooth. A custom dental bridge from Glades Dental Group can restore your bite, protect your remaining teeth, and give you a smile you feel proud to share. Call us today at 561-883-2786 or request an appointment online to find out whether a dental bridge is right for you.
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