09
Jul
Can A Dental Bridge Replace One Tooth? Plus Other Common Dental Bridge Questions
A dental bridge is a tooth replacement that fills an edentulous gap between two healthy teeth or implants. Dental bridges in Windsor Mill, Maryland, are a cost-effective and conservative teeth replacement option for patients ineligible for oral surgery and don’t fancy dentures.
If you are battling tooth loss and considering dental bridges, it helps to know how many teeth dental bridges can replace. Welcome to Edmondson Family Dental Care, where we offer numerous dental bridge options to fix your “gappy” smile. We’ll answer all your dental bridge questions to keep you informed ahead of your procedure.
How do dental bridges replace missing teeth?
A typical dental bridge has a set of porcelain or ceramic teeth (called pontics). These artificial teeth are placed in the area without teeth to restore your smile’s aesthetics and function. The prosthetic teeth are secured in place with a metal or porcelain framework attached to the surrounding healthy teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap.Â
Dental bridges are attached to the abutments secured with dental crowns. Dental crowns offer optimal support for your bridge to ensure it remains solid when eating, smiling, or talking.
Bonus tip: When you don’t have enough teeth in the mouth, the dentist can use a dental implant to support your bridge. Dental implants provide better support for the bridge than natural teeth. Furthermore, dental implants preserve the health of your biological teeth by offloading the load that would otherwise be placed on them.Â
Can a dental bridge replace one tooth?
Yes! A dental bridge can replace a single tooth anywhere in the mouth. A traditional bridge can replace up to four teeth. However, if you miss more than four teeth, you may need an implant-supported denture for optimal stability.Â
The longer the bridge, the more unstable your restoration becomes. So, we don’t recommend long-span dental bridges because they are unstable and hard to clean.
What is the process of getting a dental bridge?
You need at least 2-3 dental appointments to secure your smile with a dental bridge. In the first appointment, we’ll evaluate your smile with digital X-rays and photos to determine your eligibility for bridgework.Â
If necessary, we’ll prepare your abutment teeth by reshaping them to create space for dental crowns. Next, we’ll take impressions of your prepped teeth to custom-make your restoration. Since the fabrication process takes a few days, we’ll temporarily restore your prepped teeth.Â
When we receive your bridge, we’ll inspect its fit, alignment, aesthetics, etc, to ensure it matches the desired specifications. Finally, we’ll cement your bridge and provide maintenance tips for a long-lasting outcome.
Do you currently have missing teeth?
When placed expertly, a dental bridge can restore your smile’s function and aesthetics like natural teeth. To replace your missing teeth with bridges in Windsor Mill, MD, call (410) 944-9090 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jon Edmondson.