A dental bridge can restore confidence in someone’s smile after years of embarrassment caused by missing teeth. Dr. Daniel Dufera at Silver Spring Smiles in Silver Spring, MD., uses this kind of prosthetic apparatus to stretch across any part of the mouth where teeth are missing, with a crown at the end of each bridge. This crown attaches to the teeth on both sides of the gap. An implant then connects to both crowns and restores a complete, natural-looking smile.

Could I Be a Dental Bridge Candidate?

Several factors can make a dental bridge an ideal solution for patients. If you are missing one to three consecutive teeth, this type of treatment could be a great solution to your problem. Patients without a larger number of teeth might be a better candidate for fixed or removable partial dentures. Because the teeth around the gap act as a base for the dental bridge, these teeth must be healthy and secure within the gums. It’s also important to consider the health of your gums. Before placing the dental bridge, Dr. Dufera may need to treat any unchecked gum disease.

Dental Bridge Options

Generally, dentists rely on three different kinds of bridges: Maryland, traditional, and cantilever. A traditional bridge features a dental crown attached to both sides of the fabricated tooth. With a cantilever bridge, an artificial tooth is secured to only one crown, and a Maryland bridge is an artificial tooth bonded to teeth on each side.

Bridges can be made from various materials, from metal alloys to gold and silver. During the consultation, Dr. Dufera will explain the advantages and options presented by these different dental materials to help patients select the one that best matches their lifestyle and needs. For the toughest, longest lasting type of restoration, look no further than metal bridges. However, since they don’t match nearby teeth, these are only recommended for back teeth that won’t be exposed when patients smile. For a more natural look, porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations (PFM) are coated in a porcelain shell which resemble the real color of the patient’s teeth. This type of restoration features a metal base for strength and stability, but the color can fade with time.

For a long-lasting natural appearance, patients often opt for all-porcelain restorations. While not as strong as metal, these bridges effortlessly blend with a patient’s real smile. This kind of restoration is thicker, so it requires more modification of the surrounding teeth, and can also cause more strain on supporting teeth. Zirconia is another option for dental bridge material. With zirconia, Dr. Dufera modifies very little of the natural tooth structure. This material comes in a variety of shades, and our staff can find a color that is almost identical to the patient’s smile.

The Dental Bridge Placement Process

In order to place a dental bridge, Dr. Dufera takes more than one office visit to complete this multistep process. First, Dr. Dufera will apply a local anesthetic to make patients feel more comfortable. He will modify the shape of the teeth receiving the crowns by filing down or filling them. After the shape has been altered, Dr. Dufera will cast an impression of the area with the missing tooth, as well as the surrounding teeth. This impression is sent to a lab where a bridge will be custom-fitted for the patient. During this time, patients will have a temporary bridge attached with cement. After a few weeks, the permanent bridge should be ready for placement. Dr. Dufera will first remove the temporary bridge and check that the customized bridge fits before cementing it in place.

For Amazing, Real Results, Call Today

Most patients can recognize a difference in their smile instantly after Dr. Dufera places their dental bridge. These changes might include resolved speech issues, restored biting and chewing capacity, filled gaps in the patient’s smile, and improved eating capabilities. If you are tired of dealing with missing teeth, call Dr. Dufera and his knowledgeable, compassionate staff at Silver Spring Smiles today! Contact us at 301-588-5400.