Missing teeth can cause gaps that affect the way you speak, chew, and smile. If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth, you can restore aesthetics and dental function with a dental bridge. Dr. Brian Tavoian offers both traditional and implant-supported dental bridges at our office in Cedar City, UT. A traditional bridge is supported by neighboring teeth to fill in gaps in your smile, while an implant-supported bridge is attached to dental implants embedded in your jaw. For qualifying patients, Brian can perform every stage of dental implant treatment, from implant placement to restoration with a dental bridge.
Benefits of Bridges
Traditional bridges are a quick and easy way to restore your smile after tooth loss. It typically takes only two office visits for patients to achieve full dental functionality. Dental bridges can:
- Restore your ability to chew and speak
- Enhance the aesthetics of your smile
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Prevent remaining teeth from shifting
- Restore proper distribution of force in your bite
Dental bridges can last up to ten years with proper care. We can help maintain the life of your bridge with regular exams to monitor the health of the supporting teeth.
Dental Bridge Candidacy
Optimal candidates for a dental bridge are missing one to three consecutive teeth. If you have experienced more widespread tooth loss, Brian may recommend a full or partial denture instead. Since traditional bridges rely on neighboring teeth for support, those teeth must be structurally sound and healthy. We will treat any periodontal disease or decay before you receive your bridge.
For implant-supported bridges, patients must also have sufficient bone tissue to support the implants. We can determine your candidacy for dental implants using digital x-rays and scans. Some patients can improve their candidacy by undergoing a bone graft or sinus lift procedure to strengthen the jaw before implantation.
Traditional Bridges
Traditional bridges are held in place by dental crowns placed on the teeth on either side of the gap. To place a traditional bridge, Brian will need to prepare your neighboring teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel. This process ensures your restoration will fit comfortably in your smile. Next, we will take a series of digital impressions of your prepared teeth, and send that information to our partner dental laboratory.
Traditional bridges are a quick and easy way to restore your smile after tooth loss.
It typically takes our lab between two and three weeks to fabricate a dental bridge. During this time, we may fit you with a temporary restoration to protect your prepared teeth. Once your permanent bridge is complete, you can return to our office for final placement. At this time, Brian will check the fit of your restoration to ensure you are satisfied with the results.
