Dental Bridges

Your new bridge is customized to the exact specifications of your smile. Before cementing to the underlying teeth or affixing it to the supporting implants, the shade, occlusion, and all aspects of its fit are carefully checked. In addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with your smile, it's also made to suit your bite and withstand all manner of oral function. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and that your bite feels comfortable.

Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge is a worthwhile investment in the look, health, and function of your smile. While many dental insurances offer coverage for a dental bridge, and some toward the cost of implants, the benefits and amounts can vary significantly from plan to plan. At the office of Arevalo Dental Studio, we understand the financial considerations involved in care and do all we can to help patients begin treatment without any additional stress or delay. In addition to doing our best to optimize your dental benefits, we also offer several payment and financing options. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions on the cost of care, dental insurances, financing plans, or acceptable forms of payment.

Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.

The standard answer is that with routine dental visits and good home care, a bridge can last ten to fifteen years, and in many cases, much longer.

At the office of Arevalo Dental Studio, we fabricate your bridge from the highest quality dental materials to achieve the most cosmetically pleasing and lifelike results of care. It's also customized to the exact specifications of your smile and designed for optimal aesthetics, strength, and stability. Once fabricated and cemented into place, you'll feel confident sharing your smile, speaking, and eating your favorite foods.

As your trusted partner in care, we analyze every aspect of your smile to develop a treatment plan that provides aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and long-lasting results of care.

For more information on dental bridges, or any services we provide, give us a call today.

A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by spanning the gap with a prosthetic tooth or teeth called pontics. It is anchored to stable support on either side of the gap, typically crowns on adjacent teeth or dental implants, creating a continuous row that restores appearance and function. Modern bridges are made from materials that mimic natural tooth color and translucency, providing both strength and a pleasing look.

Bridges are cemented or permanently attached, so they function much like natural teeth and do not require daily removal. They help restore chewing efficiency, improve speech clarity, and protect neighboring teeth from drifting into the empty space. A well-planned bridge contributes to long-term oral stability when maintained with proper care and regular dental visits.

Replacing a missing tooth protects oral health beyond cosmetic concerns by preventing neighboring teeth from shifting and altering your bite. When teeth drift or the bite changes, it can lead to uneven wear, sensitivity, and problems with chewing and jaw comfort. Bone in the area of a missing tooth also loses stimulation and can resorb over time, which may affect facial contours and complicate future restorations.

Replacing missing teeth restores easier cleaning and reduces areas where plaque and food collect, lowering the risk of decay and gum inflammation. It also helps preserve the function of your bite and makes it easier to eat a broader variety of foods comfortably. Addressing a gap early often yields more predictable and conservative treatment options.

Several bridge designs address different clinical needs, including traditional fixed bridges that rely on crowns placed on adjacent teeth and cantilever bridges that are supported on a single side. Resin-bonded or Maryland-style bridges use a bonded metal or ceramic framework attached to the backs of neighboring teeth and are a more conservative option when minimal alteration is desired. Implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants and preserve adjacent tooth structure while also helping maintain jawbone volume.

Each design has advantages and limitations based on location in the mouth, the condition of neighboring teeth, and biting forces. Your dentist will evaluate the health of potential abutment teeth, bone levels, and overall oral conditions to recommend the most appropriate bridge type. A personalized recommendation balances function, aesthetics, and long-term oral health.

An implant-supported bridge is anchored to dental implants placed in the jaw rather than relying on natural teeth for support, which preserves adjacent tooth structure and provides root-like stability. Because implants stimulate the jawbone, this approach helps prevent bone resorption in the area of the missing teeth and can maintain facial contours over time. Implant-supported bridges are often recommended when multiple adjacent teeth are missing or when preserving bone and long-term stability is a priority.

Traditional bridges require reshaping adjacent teeth to accept crowns, which can be appropriate when those teeth already need restorations. The choice between an implant-supported and a traditional bridge depends on bone availability, the condition of neighboring teeth, overall health, and patient preferences. Your dentist will discuss the clinical factors that make one approach more predictable and sustainable for your situation.

Determining whether a bridge is the right option starts with a comprehensive dental evaluation that includes a review of your medical and dental history, an oral exam, and diagnostic imaging to assess tooth and bone health. Healthy gums and adequate support from adjacent teeth are essential for many bridge types, while reduced bone volume or weakened abutment teeth may steer the recommendation toward implant-based solutions. Your lifestyle, aesthetic goals, and expectations for long-term function also factor into the decision.

An open conversation with your dentist will clarify the pros and cons of each restorative option and how they align with your priorities. The treatment team will explain clinical reasons for their recommendation and outline any preparatory procedures that may be needed, such as periodontal care or bone grafting. This collaborative planning helps ensure the chosen solution is both safe and likely to deliver predictable results.

Traditional bridge treatment typically begins with preparing the neighboring teeth by reshaping them to receive crowns, followed by impressions or digital scans to create the final restoration. A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain appearance and function while the laboratory fabricates the permanent bridge. At the final appointment the dentist checks fit, color, and bite, makes any necessary adjustments, and then permanently cements the restoration.

Throughout the process your dentist monitors gum health and the condition of supporting teeth to ensure a durable outcome. If underlying issues such as decay or root canal needs are present they will be addressed before the bridge is finalized. Clear post-placement instructions and scheduled follow-up visits help verify comfort and function as you adapt to the restoration.

After placement of a traditional bridge patients typically experience mild sensitivity or discomfort that resolves within a few days as the surrounding tissues adjust to the restoration. Over-the-counter pain relief and avoiding very hard or sticky foods for a short period usually manage any transient sensitivity. If an implant-supported bridge is involved, recovery includes surgical healing time while implants integrate with the jawbone, and temporary restorations may be used during that period.

Follow-up visits allow your dentist to check healing, verify the stability of the restoration, and make minor adjustments to the bite if needed. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and attending routine checkups are important to protect the supporting teeth and gums. Contact the office if you experience persistent pain, swelling, or any concern so the team can assess and address the issue promptly.

Dental bridges can last many years when properly designed, placed, and maintained, but lifespan varies based on material, oral hygiene, bite forces, and the health of supporting teeth and gums. Bridges that are well cared for and regularly evaluated by a dentist often provide long-term function, while poor hygiene, untreated gum disease, or heavy clenching and grinding can shorten their service life. Regular dental visits allow early detection of problems and help extend the restoration's durability.

Choosing high-quality materials and ensuring a precise fit also contributes to longevity by minimizing wear and reducing risk of complications. Your dentist will review individualized maintenance recommendations and may suggest protective measures such as a nightguard if you have parafunctional habits. Proactive care and monitoring are the most reliable ways to preserve a bridge for many years.

Daily care for a dental bridge includes thorough brushing twice a day and cleaning beneath the pontic and around abutment teeth with interdental brushes, floss threaders, or water flossers to remove plaque and food debris. Because gaps and altered tooth positions can trap particles, cleaning beneath the bridge is essential to prevent decay and gum inflammation around the supporting teeth. Using a fluoride toothpaste and maintaining a balanced diet also support overall oral health.

Regular professional cleanings and examinations allow your dentist or hygienist to monitor the condition of the bridge and surrounding structures and to perform targeted cleaning where needed. If you have specific cleaning questions, your dental team can demonstrate the best techniques for your particular restoration. Consistent home care plus routine dental visits significantly reduce the risk of complications and help the bridge last longer.

Well-made bridges are designed to feel comfortable and blend with surrounding teeth so they provide a natural appearance and restore normal function. Modern dental materials recreate tooth shape, color, and translucency, allowing the restoration to match adjacent teeth and produce a seamless smile. Because bridges are fixed, they eliminate the movement and bulk associated with some removable appliances, which enhances comfort for many patients.

The final esthetic and comfort depend on careful planning, precise impressions or digital scans, and adjustments at the time of placement to fine-tune the bite. Your dentist will evaluate shade and shape options to achieve a harmonious result tailored to your smile. If you have concerns about fit or appearance after placement, contact the office for an adjustment to optimize comfort and esthetics with minimal disruption.

To determine whether a bridge is the best option for your smile schedule a consultation so a clinician can review your medical and dental history, perform an exam, and take any necessary images to assess teeth and bone structure. This evaluation clarifies whether adjacent teeth are suitable as abutments, whether bone volume supports implants, and which bridge design aligns with your functional and esthetic goals. The treatment team will discuss benefits, limitations, and any preparatory care needed to achieve a predictable outcome.

If you would like to explore tooth replacement options, call or request an appointment to meet with the dentist and discuss personalized recommendations. A tailored treatment plan helps you understand the steps involved, the expected timeline, and how to prepare for successful restoration of your smile. Arevalo Dental Studio is available to answer clinical questions and guide you through the decision process in a comfortable, professional setting.