Bridges

A bridge is one of the dental solutions for a missing tooth or when a natural tooth needs to be replaced. This is a type of restorative dentistry used to improve smile appearance and full mouth function.

At Creekside Family Dental in Gahanna, OH, we can help you decide whether a bridge is the right restorative treatment for your situation.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge generally refers to a traditional bridge, which is a dental piece that includes three dental crowns. This row of teeth includes one replacement tooth to fill the space where a tooth is missing and two crowns that cover the natural teeth, called abutment teeth, on each side.

Our dentist may also consider different types of dental bridges to fit your situation. Dr. Leffler informs patients about their options and gives them power over their own choices. There are removable or fixed bridges, as well as ones that fill in a larger gap with a few missing teeth. Different types of bridges may also refer to where and how we place the bridge.

Why Should I Choose a Bridge?

A tooth can fall out suddenly from injury or over time from decay, damage or infection. A bridge solves the problem of a missing tooth by filling in the gap with a realistic-looking replacement. You can also use it as a solution if you need a tooth extracted, as you can gain a replacement instead of living with a gap between teeth.

If a gap is left for too long, the surrounding teeth are able to shift and move into the gap. This problem can throw off your entire bite and mouth function, and also may result in symptoms like jaw pain. Adding a bridge is an effective way to keep the space filled to prevent these problems and promote full mouth function and health.

When a tooth is missing or needs to be removed, you can often choose between restoration options like a bridge, an implant or a denture. A bridge makes it easy to fill the space of just one or two teeth, while you would need to be missing a few or all teeth for partial or full dentures.

An implant with a crown on top gives a permanent tooth replacement option that also fills in the space of the missing tooth root. Nonetheless, a bridge is sometimes preferable to patients who are not candidates for dental implants, who need to fit a smaller budget or who want to avoid surgery. Our dentist is happy to discuss with you the best way to restore your teeth and oral health.

How Does the Bridge Process Work?

We use advanced technology to scan your mouth for its exact specifications. This process is much better for you and for accuracy than the previous method of taking tooth molds. We send the scanned images to a lab for them to create a custom bridge that perfectly fits your mouth.

Then, Dr. Leffler readies the surrounding teeth on each side of the gap for the crowns that will cover them. Using cement, he attaches the bridge to each abutment tooth so it stays permanently in place. During the process, he can adjust the fit and bite to make sure everything is correct. If you are getting a different type of bridge than a traditional one, our dentist can discuss the specific process with you in advance.

Contact Us for a Consultation

If you have a missing tooth, a bridge may be one of the options available to you. Our dentist can confirm this and compare it with other potential solutions during a consultation visit.

Contact our office team today to make your appointment.