Bridges

Dental Bridges in St. George, UT

Restore Your Smile and Oral Function

Missing teeth can affect both the appearance of your smile and the overall health of your mouth. Dental bridges are a reliable and effective solution for replacing one or more missing teeth, helping to restore function, aesthetics, and confidence. Bridges are designed to “bridge the gap” created by missing teeth, using your existing teeth as anchors to hold a replacement tooth or teeth in place.

Understanding the benefits, procedure, and aftercare for dental bridges can help you make an informed decision about restoring your smile.

What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by literally creating a bridge over the gap. Bridges consist of:

Abutments: Crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap, which act as anchors.
Pontic: The artificial tooth or teeth that fill the space of the missing tooth.
Materials: Bridges can be made from porcelain, metal alloys, gold, or a combination, providing strength, durability, and a natural appearance.

Bridges not only restore your smile but also help maintain the alignment of your teeth, prevent bone loss, and improve chewing and speaking function.

Why Dental Bridges Are Important

Replacing a missing tooth is essential for several reasons:

Prevent Teeth Shifting: Missing teeth can cause neighboring teeth to shift out of position, leading to bite issues and uneven wear.
Maintain Jaw Structure: Gaps in your teeth can affect jawbone health and lead to structural changes over time.
Restore Function: Bridges allow you to chew and speak more comfortably and efficiently.
Enhance Aesthetics: Filling the gap improves your smile and boosts self-confidence.

Dental bridges are a long-lasting solution that combines function and aesthetics, making them an excellent choice for many patients.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

The process of getting a dental bridge typically involves several steps:

Preparation of Abutment Teeth
The teeth adjacent to the gap, known as abutments, are carefully recontoured to accommodate crowns. This provides a stable foundation for the bridge.
Impressions and Lab Work
Once the abutments are prepared, a detailed mold of your teeth and the gap is taken. This impression is sent to a dental lab, where a custom bridge is crafted to match your natural teeth in size, shape, and color.
Temporary Bridge Placement
While waiting for your permanent bridge, a temporary bridge is placed to protect the abutments and gum tissue, maintain aesthetics, and allow you to eat and speak normally.
Permanent Bridge Placement
At a follow-up appointment, your dentist will fit and adjust the permanent bridge. The bridge is then bonded securely to the abutment teeth using a dental adhesive, ensuring stability and comfort.
Adjustment Period
It is normal to feel a slight difference when first wearing the bridge. Eating soft foods for the first few days can help you adjust. Within a short period, most patients feel that the bridge functions and feels like their natural teeth.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

Proper care is essential to ensure the longevity of your dental bridge. Follow these tips:

Brush and floss daily, paying special attention to the area around the bridge.
Avoid chewing on extremely hard foods to prevent damage.
Attend regular dental check-ups for cleaning and evaluation.
Use an interdental brush or water flosser to clean underneath the pontic.

With proper care, dental bridges can last many years and continue to provide a healthy, functional, and attractive smile.

Is a Dental Bridge Right for You?

If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, a dental bridge may be the ideal solution to restore your oral health and smile. Bridges are a practical, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to dentures or implants in certain cases. They help preserve the structure of your mouth, restore normal function, and enhance your confidence.

Restore Your Smile Today

Don’t let a missing tooth affect your appearance, oral function, or confidence. Dental bridges are an effective and reliable solution for replacing missing teeth. Schedule an appointment today to explore how a custom dental bridge can restore your smile, improve your bite, and help maintain your long-term oral health.