If you’re one of the nearly 180 million Americans living with tooth loss, then you might feel self-conscious about your smile. However, embarrassment isn’t the only effect of missing teeth. Tooth loss can lead to dental shifting, muscle and bone atrophy, facial distortion, and speaking and chewing impairment.
At Dental Care of Lombard, our talented dentist, Dr. Julie Glud, helps restore the function and appearance of missing teeth. Although she offers many restorative options, the most common solution for one to three consecutive missing teeth is a dental bridge. Here, we will discuss two types of dental bridges and how to determine which type is best for you.
Traditional Dental Bridge vs. Implant-Supported Bridge
Dr. Glud offers two types of dental bridges: traditional and implant-supported. Let’s explore the difference between the two.
Traditional
Depending on the patient’s case, Dr. Glud can use a traditional bridge to replace up to three missing teeth in a row. Traditional dental bridges contain pontics, or false teeth, that are supported by abutting teeth. This means that traditional bridges are fixed appliances and will stay firmly in place.
Patients who want a traditional bridge can enjoy a restored smile in as few as two office visits. At the first visit, Dr. Glud numbs the area with a local anesthetic. Once the area is sufficiently numb, she will prepare the abutting teeth. This process usually requires the removal of some enamel from the adjacent teeth so that the bridge fits properly. Next, Dr. Glud takes impressions of the patient’s mouth to send off to a lab. The lab uses the impressions to fabricate a custom-made restoration that both looks and feels great.
On the second visit, Dr. Glud assesses the dental bridge to make sure it fits properly and looks natural. Then, she uses a strong dental cement to bond the restoration into place. In just a couple of hours, the bridge is sturdy enough to tackle normal chewing and speaking activities.
Traditional bridges are a great option for patients who:
- Have one to three missing teeth in a row
- Have healthy abutting teeth
- Want to restore function and appearance quickly
Implant-Supported
Implant-supported dental bridges are restorations that require oral surgery. An oral surgeon places a small post–typically made from titanium or zirconia–directly into the jaw bone. Through a process known as osseointegration, the bone tissue fuses to the post. This ensures that the post is firmly and permanently in place. Typically, patients who undergo dental implant surgery need about three to six months to heal completely. After the implant is fully healed, Dr. Glud places a custom-made restoration directly onto the implant.
Implant-supported bridges are a great option for patients who:
- Have more than three consecutive missing teeth.
- Want to preserve the structure of abutting teeth.
- Have a healthy jaw bone and want to prevent jaw bone atrophy.
- Don’t mind surgery and a healing period.
Oral Health and Dental Bridges
Regardless of which bridge a patient chooses, it is imperative that they have good oral health before beginning the dental bridge process. Patients who have cavities or gum disease must have these issues resolved first before getting their restoration. Fortunately, Dr. Glud offers many preventative and restorative options to help patients get the satisfactory oral health they need to support a bridge.
Dental Bridges in Lombard, IL
Don’t let missing teeth keep you from smiling, chewing, and speaking. At Dental Care of Lombard, our expert team restores missing teeth so that you can live your life with confidence. Schedule an appointment online or call us at (630) 629-5700.
