Dental Bridges – Aspen Hill, MD

Bridge the Gap After Tooth Loss

Whether you’re missing just one tooth or several pearly whites in a row, it can make it more difficult to do everyday tasks like chewing, speaking, and smiling with confidence. Not to mention, not replacing missing teeth can lead to severe oral health problems over time, like drifting teeth and an increased risk of gum disease and further tooth loss. One popular way to replace one or even multiple consecutive missing teeth in Aspen Hill is with a dental bridge. This custom-made restorative treatment looks and feels like a perfectly natural part of your smile. To schedule a consultation with one of our dentists and learn more about how this restoration can rebuild your smile after tooth loss, just give us a call!

Why Choose the Dental Center of Aspen Hill for Dental Bridges?

Natural-Looking Materials Designed to Last for Years
Highly Personalized Treatment for Every Patient
Affordable Financing with CareCredit Payment Plans

What Are Dental Bridges?

older man smiling with dental bridges in Aspen Hill

A dental bridge is made of two dental crowns with one or more replacement teeth called pontics in between them. Each of the crowns are placed on your remaining teeth at the ends of the gap in your grin to support the artificial teeth in the middle. You could also opt for an implant-retained bridge, in which a dental implant is placed at either end of the gap to provide an even longer-lasting and sturdier tooth replacement.

Every bridge is made of natural-looking materials, such as porcelain or ceramic, and personalized to resemble the rest of your smile.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

dental bridge being placed on bottom arch

Dental bridges in Aspen Hill offer many advantages, some of which include:

They are a relatively quick and easy way to replace several consecutive missing teeth at once.
Bridges prevent your remaining teeth from drifting, which also saves you from having TMJ or orthodontic problems as a result of an uneven bite.
The materials that bridges are comprised of are durable enough to allow you to chew practically any food.
Bridges are designed to mimic the pearly whites you were born with.
With proper maintenance, your bridge can last up to 10-15 years before it needs a replacement.

The Process of Getting a Dental Bridge

dental professional adjusting model of dental bridge

Receiving a dental bridge usually takes two or three appointments that are spread out over the course of a few weeks. Some of the steps in this process are:

An initial consultation to examine your mouth, determine your eligibility for a bridge, and develop a customized treatment plan
Taking detailed impressions of the part of your mouth where your teeth are missing
Sending the mold of our impressions to a trusted dental lab
Placing a temporary bridge while the lab is crafting your permanent one
Returning a few weeks later to remove your temporary and cement your final bridge into place

If you choose an implant-retained bridge instead, the process will also involve an oral surgery in which the titanium posts are placed directly into your jawbone. However, we can perform the entire dental implant process in-house, so there’s no need to worry about visiting an outside specialist. Once your implants have fused to your jawbone (which may take three to six months), we can place your bridge, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a full smile!

Dental Bridges FAQs

patient discussing with dentist about dental bridges in Aspen Hill

If you need to replace one or two missing teeth, then dental bridges in Aspen Hill may be the ideal solution for restoring your smile. While you can expect to enjoy many benefits from these restorations, it’s natural to want to know more about the treatment before committing to any work. For this reason, our team at the Dental Center of Aspen Hill is more than happy to share and answer some of the most frequently asked questions we get about dental bridges. Read on or give us a call today if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!

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How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?

While this will depend on the patient’s needs, most dental bridges can replace around one to four consecutive missing teeth. However, to ensure it remains secure, a bridge is typically used to renew only one or two pearly whites. The longer the restoration extends, the less stability it will have. This is particularly more likely if the permanent teeth supporting the bridge aren’t sturdy and healthy enough. If this is a concern, then you might consider implant bridges to reduce this risk, as they will be directly anchored to your jawbone and feel exactly like natural teeth.

Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?

Our team will ensure your mouth is numbed with local anesthesia before we prepare your teeth for your dental bridge. This means you can expect to feel as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. After the preparation phase and the placement of the bridge, you may experience some sensitivity in your underlying teeth for the next several days. Fortunately, this can easily be managed by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen. However, if any discomfort persists or worsens, reach out to us right away for help.

Can Dental Bridges Get Cavities?

Since dental bridges are not made of the same organic material as your permanent teeth, they can’t get cavities. However, this doesn’t mean the natural pearly whites supporting them will be immune to decay. Food particles and debris can get lodged underneath the pontics or the space where the crowns meet your gum line. If left unchecked, this can allow harmful bacteria to grow, resulting in issues like cavities and gum disease. That’s why it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene so that you thoroughly clean under and around your restoration every day.

Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?

Your dental bridge should begin to feel increasingly more natural after a few days of receiving them. The restoration is constructed out of durable materials that can withstand the everyday pressure from chewing just like your tooth enamel. This means you should be able to eat as comfortably as with your natural pearly whites. Your bridge will also be specifically designed based on the impressions of your teeth, so they shouldn’t feel awkward or even noticeable to others.