Dental Bridges – Sarasota, FL

Sturdy, Reliable Tooth Replacement

Are you missing one or more teeth? Fixed bridges are a great treatment option to restore your dental appearance and chewing efficiency. Dr. Ben Tindal, a skilled prosthodontist, can create a bridge that fits in seamlessly with your smile and allows you to regain full dental function. In just a couple of appointments, you could once again be the owner of a complete, confident, and healthy set of teeth!

What Is a Fixed Bridge?

A fixed bridge is a cemented restoration that functions to replace missing teeth. The adjacent teeth, also called abutments, are prepared for crowns, which are permanently connected to a false tooth. After cementing the prosthesis to the abutment teeth, the patient does not need to remove it for oral hygiene procedures.

Bridges may be made out of various materials, including gold, silver, and other metals. However, many patients prefer a dental bridge in Sarasota that is made out of porcelain. Porcelain bridges match the color of the teeth around them, providing tooth replacement that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is effective.

Advantages of a Dental Bridge

A dental bridge offers numerous advantages:

A bridge a relatively fast and affordable way to replace one or more missing teeth. In many cases, dental insurance provides coverage for bridges.
With proper care, a dental bridge has the potential to last for a decade or longer.
A bridge can prevent your remaining natural teeth from drifting out of place and leading to a misaligned bite.
A bridge is extremely secure. You won’t have to worry about it slipping out of place while you’re eating or speaking.
The bite force that a bridge provides is strong enough to stand up to most (if not all) of your favorite foods.

When Are Fixed Bridges Used?

Generally, fixed bridges are used to replace between one and three missing teeth in a row. If you already have a few missing teeth, or you need to get a tooth extracted, you can start talking to your dentist right away about filling in the gap in your smile. If a traditional fixed bridge is not a fit for your circumstances, you may be a candidate for an implant-supported restoration.

Am I a Candidate for a Fixed Bridge?

You may be a good candidate for a fixed bridge if:

You are missing one or more teeth in a row.
Your abutment teeth are healthy enough to support the bridge. They should be free of serious decay and have strong roots.
You have an old bridge that needs to be replaced.

After your dentist examines your mouth, they will let you know for sure whether a bridge is the right way to rebuild your smile.

How Do I Care for a Fixed Bridge?

Caring for a fixed bridge is fairly simple. You should be diligent about brushing your teeth, especially along the gum line near the bridge. Flossing is also important; you should use a floss threader to clean the area beneath the false tooth so you can keep the gums free of harmful bacteria. Not eating hard foods, wearing a mouthguard during sports, and not using your teeth as a tool to open packages can all help to reduces the chances that your bridge will break.

Regular checkups are another key to maintaining your bridge. During routine exams, Dr. Tindal will check to make sure that your restoration is still in good shape. He’ll recommend repair or replacement when necessary.

Would you like to talk to Dr. Tindal about replacing your lost tooth (or teeth) with a fixed bridge? Contact our office today.

Dental Bridges FAQs

Dental bridge in Sarasota on a clay model

Are you eager to fill in the gaps in your smile? Replacing your missing teeth is a huge decision, so it pays to be well-informed. We’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental bridges in Sarasota. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, give us a call. We’d be happy to explain more about the restoration and schedule you for an appointment.

Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?

Before preparing your teeth to support a bridge, your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. After the preparation and placement of a dental bridge, the underlying teeth will likely feel sensitive for the next few days. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, but give us a call if the discomfort worsens. Because dental bridges keep the remaining teeth from drifting out of place, they can prevent discomfort later on. If you’re getting an implant bridge, there will likely be some soreness after your dental implant placement surgery, but you will be given specific aftercare instructions to lessen this.

Is a Partial Denture the Same as a Bridge?

While partial dentures are sometimes called “removable bridges,” they are not the same thing as a dental bridge. A bridge is designed to stay in place for many years and can only be removed by a dental professional, but a patient can remove their partial denture at any time. The other main difference is that bridges can only replace missing teeth if they are consecutive, while partials can bring back several teeth at various points along an arch. Bridges are anchored via crowns that are fitted over two of the remaining teeth, but partials usually use metal slips of clasps that go behind the natural teeth.

How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?

Depending on your needs, a dental bridge can be used to replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth in a row. However, in most cases, a bridge is used to replace one or two teeth. The longer the bridge extends, the less stable it may become. Because of this, it is riskier to have a bridge replace three or more teeth. Implant bridges can lower this risk, as implants are just as strong and secure as natural teeth.

Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?

Metal-free dental bridges are made from materials that can be color-matched to your other teeth. These materials look remarkably like tooth enamel, even in the way that light bounces off them. Once placed, your bridge should blend in with the rest of your smile. Bridges made from metals, like gold and silver, won’t look as natural, but they are typically only used for teeth that aren’t visible when you smile.

More to Explore

Maintain Your Smile Restorative Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry View Our Services