Imagine having a smile that radiates confidence, unmarred by gaps or dental imperfections, allowing you to speak, laugh, and dine without a second thought. This dream can seem out of reach if you have one or more missing teeth. Fortunately, Contemporary Prosthodontics offers porcelain dental bridges in Duxbury, MA – an advanced dentistry solution that can help restore your smile’s natural beauty and functionality.
As your #1 prosthodontist in Duxbury, MA, Dr. Andrew Wiemeyer and Dr. Samuel Lee are experts in restoring smiles with custom-made bridges, crowns, dentures, veneers, and dental implants. That is why they have created this post to answer some FAQs on dental bridges and show you how they can help restore your smile.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a custom-made replacement for one or more missing teeth. Think of it as a bridge connecting healthy teeth on either side of a gap left by missing teeth.
The bridge is made of crowns, usually crafted from strong, natural-looking porcelain that blends seamlessly with your natural smile. These crowns replace your teeth by bridging the gap left by your missing teeth using adjacent healthy teeth as anchors (abutments) to support the pontics (artificial teeth).
Can Porcelain Dental Bridges Fix My Smile?
Yes, absolutely! Our porcelain dental bridges in Duxbury, MA, are a popular choice for individuals looking to replace their missing teeth, fix their smiles, and restore their bite and chewing functions.
Porcelain, with its close resemblance to natural tooth enamel in appearance and light-reflecting properties, offers a durable and natural-looking solution for your smile. Whether your concern is one missing tooth or several, a porcelain dental bridge custom-designed by our skilled prosthodontists can rejuvenate your smile and restore your dental functions with a natural, undetectable appearance.
Types of Dental Bridges
Depending on your specific needs and smile anatomy, your Duxbury prosthodontist can recommend any of the following types of dental bridges:
Traditional Fixed Bridges
These are the most common types of dental bridges. It involves using crowns cemented onto healthy natural teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap created by the missing teeth to support the pontics in between.
Cantilever Bridges
Unlike traditional bridges, cantilever bridges are used when only one healthy tooth is next to the gap. The pontic is bonded onto a single abutment tooth so that it extends over the gap to replace your missing teeth.
Maryland Bridge
Instead of securing your bridge with crowns, Maryland bridges use wings bonded to the back of your healthy neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place. These bridges typically replace missing front teeth as they cannot withstand the back teeth’s chewing force.
Implant-Supported Bridges
These bridges are similar to traditional bridges. However, instead of using natural teeth, dental implants hold them in place, offering superior stability and longevity. Periodontists typically recommend this option when you have several missing teeth in a row.
When Is a Dental Bridge Recommended?
Dr. Wiemeyer and Dr. Lee typically recommend dental bridges based on your age, needs, oral health, and number of missing teeth. Here are some common situations where bridges shine:
- Replacing one or more missing teeth, especially if they affect your bite or speech.
- Preventing adjacent teeth from shifting.
- Restoring the aesthetics of your smile and boosting your confidence with a fixed, natural-looking restoration.
How Long Does a Porcelain Bridge Last?
Porcelain dental bridges can last for 15 years or more with regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene, avoiding hard foods, or using the teeth as a tool. During your consultation, your Duxbury prosthodontists will provide detailed care instructions to ensure your dental restoration remains beautiful and functional for as long as possible.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Here are some of the benefits of our porcelain dental bridges:
- Aesthetically Pleasing: Porcelain bridges offer a natural appearance, matching the color and texture of your natural teeth for a beautiful and confident smile.
- Functional: They restore your ability to speak and chew properly, correctly distributing the forces in your bite.
- Protective: Bridges prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position, maintaining the integrity of your jaw and facial structure. They also alleviate the risk of gum disease and tooth decay in gaps, significantly improving oral health and smile aesthetics.
Durable: Porcelain is durable and resistant to staining, ensuring your smile stays bright for years to come.
Fix Your Missing Teeth with Our Porcelain Dental Bridges in Duxbury, MA
At Contemporary Prosthodontics, we are passionate about helping patients achieve their dream smiles and oral health goals. We understand the life-changing impact of a restored smile; that’s why we offer custom porcelain dental bridges in Duxbury, MA, to restore your teeth and rejuvenate your smile and confidence.
If you’re considering a dental bridge or just exploring options for your smile restoration, call 781-934-2300 today to schedule an appointment with our prosthodontists in Duxbury, MA, and let us bridge the gap to your confident, healthy smile!
