Tooth loss affects over 180 million Americans every day, but there are solutions available to you in the event you
lose a tooth. Whether it was due to tooth decay, gum disease, physical injury or something else, Dr. Gizachew can create a fully customized
restoration designed to replace single and multiple consecutive teeth. Give our office a call to schedule a consultation and speak with our
team directly about your needs and learn which restorative treatment can best invigorate your smile!
What is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are used if you are missing one or more consecutive teeth along the top or bottom row of your
mouth. Relying on dental crowns that are fused to create the bridge, this restorative treatment uses your
healthy abutment teeth as anchors to hold the bridge in place.
The exterior crowns are placed over the natural teeth while the interior crowns sit on top of the gums, creating
the appearance of a fully restored smile.
This minimally invasive procedure takes the same amount of time (two visits) and will leave you feeling more
confident in your appearance.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are two main types of dental bridges to consider when replacing teeth. Our office can provide both of them
depending on your needs and preferences. This includes traditional dental bridges and implant bridges, both of
which have unique benefits to consider with Dr. G. During your consultation, you’ll be able to learn which
option is best for you. To learn more, read on below to get an idea of how both of these tooth replacements
work!
Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge consists of multiple crowns fused together (typically three) with the crowns on
either end of the restoration hollowed out. This allows them to attach to existing teeth in your smile that have
been modified to hold the bridge. The crown(s) in between (or pontics) effectively fill the gap. With regular
care, you can expect your bridge to last 10 years or longer.
Implant Bridge
With the help of dental implants, your bridge can not only last much longer (and potentially for life), but
provide additional benefits. For example, once the implants are placed inside your jaw, your bone tissue gets
the stimulation it needs to improve your biting strength. However, implant bridges do take far more time to
receive, are considerably more expensive, and require having enough healthy bone tissue to place.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Although there are other available options for tooth replacement, dental bridges continue to stand the test of
time. As one of the safest, most reliable solutions on the market, your dentist can attest to the tremendous
benefits you’ll receive, such as:
- A more beautiful, complete look that allows you to exude the confidence you deserve
- A prosthetic that keeps natural, healthy teeth in place and prevents them from shifting out of alignment and
causing potential orthodontic intervention
- Improved functionality when chewing because the force is more evenly distributed throughout your arch
- The ability to speak with greater clarity
Dental Bridge FAQs
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Prior to preparing your teeth to receive a dental bridge, we will effectively numb your tooth and surrounding gum
tissue in order to prevent any sensations from being felt during the preparatory phase. This is done with a topical
anesthetic, but we can also administer sedation dentistry if needed to help you relax. Once the restoration is
created and placed, you can expect your underlying teeth to feel a little sensitive for the next few days. This can
be easily managed with over-the-counter medications, but don’t hesitate to call our office if your discomfort
does not improve. If you choose implant bridges to replace teeth, you may need to set aside a few days to take it
easy (which is common following any oral surgery).
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
Dental bridges are not designed to come out once they have been placed. In fact, they are designed to stay there for
many years (typically around 10 in most cases). You should not be able to take them out on your own – if they
must come out, it should only be done by a dentist. If it were to be removable, it would no longer be a dental
bridge but closer to a “partial denture” instead. Even then, this is not exactly accurate. Partials are
similar to bridges, but the main difference is dentures can be removed as needed, while bridges cannot.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
While it truly depends on the patient’s needs, dental bridges can replace anywhere from one to four missing
teeth in a row. With that said, it’s far more common to only have one to two teeth replaced through a bridge.
If the bridge becomes too long, it can become unstable, particularly if the natural teeth supporting it are not
strong or healthy enough. It can become too risky to replace three or more teeth at a time in this circumstance. An
implant bridge may be more effective at reducing long-term risks, but you may also want to explore partial dentures
just in case.
Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?
Our dental bridges are designed to be metal-free. Specifically, they are made from dental porcelain that’s
custom-shaded to blend in with your existing teeth. Since these materials look indistinguishable from your natural
enamel, you can smile with confidence knowing only you and our office are aware of your tooth replacement. Even
light naturally reflects off your bridge the same way as natural teeth thanks to our polishing process.
