Dental Bridges
Replace Missing Teeth and Restore Your Smile
Restorative Dentistry
Dental Bridges for a Beautiful, Confident Smile
If you are missing teeth, you may be self-conscious about your appearance. More importantly, missing teeth can have a negative impact on your bite function and overall health. Dental bridges can restore form and function to your smile by replacing one or several consecutive missing teeth. At the Dental Arts Center in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. Edward Lorents offers traditional bridges and implant-supported bridges. In many cases, he can create and place a bridge at his office in a single appointment for your convenience.
About Dental Bridges
Crafted from High-Quality Materials for a Natural Look
A dental bridge is crafted from ceramic, zirconia, or other high-quality materials. Traditional bridges consist of crowns supporting artificial teeth. In order to place the bridge, the teeth on either side of the gap will need to be reduced so they can accommodate crowns. Once placed, the restoration “bridges the gap” in your smile for a healthy, aesthetically pleasing result.
Who is a Candidate for Traditional Dental Bridges?
Ideal for Replacing One to Three Missing Teeth
Bridges are often recommended to replace one to three missing teeth. To qualify for this type of treatment, patients should be in good oral health, and should not have active gum disease or tooth decay. Because the adjacent teeth must serve as anchors, they must be in excellent health. To determine if you are a candidate for a dental bridge, Dr. Lorents will perform a complete evaluation and will take x-rays to determine the health of the teeth and surrounding bone. Maintaining a bridge requires diligent brushing and flossing, and often requires specialized brushes or floss threaders for proper cleaning. Once placed, the restoration “bridges the gap” in your smile for a healthy, aesthetically pleasing result.
Placing a Traditional Dental Bridge
Convenient and Comfortable Process
Dr. Lorents will first prepare the adjacent teeth. Once this step is complete, he will take digital impressions that will guide fabrication of your new restoration. In some cases, this can be completed in a single appointment. Once your custom dental bridge is complete, Dr. Lorents will carefully place it, check your bite, and make any necessary adjustments. Once the fit is right, he will bond the restoration in place using dental cement.A traditional dental bridge relies on dental crowns for support.
Implant-Supported Bridges
A Permanent Solution Supported by Dental Implants
An implant-supported bridge is supported by dental implants rather than surrounding teeth, so no alteration of healthy dental tissue is necessary. Because dental implants can halt the jawbone recession that follows tooth loss, this option is highly recommended to qualifying patients. Receiving an implant-supported restoration involves an added three to six months of healing time in order for the implant and bone tissue to become fused. However, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
Join Our Dental Family
Book an Appointment Today
We invite you to join our dental family and experience the highest quality care available. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards a healthy, beautiful smile.