Restore Dental Function with a Bridge
If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth, a dental bridge can fill the gap in your smile. Traditional bridges consist of artificial teeth nestled between two dental crowns. They are supported by natural teeth on either side of the gap. At Designing Smiles in Hackensack, NJ, Dr. Judith Mamah can design beautiful and functional bridges tailored to your dental needs. As a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), Dr. Mamah can also place dental implants, allowing her to provide highly stable and effective implant-supported bridges for qualifying patients.
Understanding Dental Bridges
Traditional bridges can replace one or more teeth using a combination of dental crowns and pontics, or artificial teeth. A bridge can prevent remaining teeth from shifting and redistribute the force of your bite to protect the health and integrity of natural teeth.
Explore Your Candidacy
Since dental bridges carry a very low risk of complications, virtually any patient missing one to three consecutive teeth can qualify for a dental bridge. If you have more extensive tooth loss, Dr. Mamah may recommend a larger restoration, such as a partial denture. In addition, the teeth on either side of the gap must be in good health as they provide crucial support for the bridge.
During a consultation at our office, we can take x-rays and scans to determine the health of neighboring teeth and evaluate your candidacy for dental implants. Dr. Mamah will perform a full oral health examination to ensure you do not have any underlying condition that could affect the success of your bridge, such as periodontal disease. We can provide any necessary treatment to improve your oral health before placing your bridge.
Placing a Traditional Bridge
The process for receiving a traditional bridge typically requires two to three appointments. First, Dr. Mamah will prepare the natural teeth on either side of the gap in your smile for crown placement. She will remove some enamel and reshape the teeth to ensure each crown fits properly and does not appear bulky.
A bridge can prevent remaining teeth from shifting and redistribute the force of your bite to protect the health and integrity of natural teeth.
Once your teeth are prepared, we can take impressions of your smile and send the information to our lab to begin fabricating your bridge. We may place a temporary restoration to protect your prepared teeth while you wait. It can take a few weeks for the lab to complete a bridge. When it is ready, you can return to our office for final placement.
The Dental Implants Advantage
For qualifying patients, an implant-supported bridge provides a stable and secure way to restore your smile. Dental implants are the only tooth restoration method that actively protects the health of your jaw and prevents jawbone atrophy. In addition, an implant-supported bridge creates a more natural-looking result than a traditional restoration.
To receive an implant-supported bridge, you will first need to undergo dental implant placement. During the procedure, Dr. Mamah will embed one or more dental implants in your jawbone. Over the next three to six months, the implants will fuse with the surrounding tissue. Once they have healed, Dr. Mamah can attach your new bridge for a fully restored smile.
Bridge the Gaps in Your Smile
If your smile is affected by missing teeth, a dental bridge offers an excellent solution. At Designing Smiles, we offer a range of tooth restoration methods to improve your oral health and restore your confidence. For more information about bridges or one of our other services, contact us online or call our office at (201) 343-4302 today.
