Welcome to the Dental Designs of Owensboro blog! We are proud to serve our neighbors in Owensboro, Philpot, and Whitesville. Our talented team, Dr. Wes Booker, Dr. Katie Higdon, and Dr. Whitney Thompson, is dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Today, we’re exploring a common and effective solution for missing teeth: the dental bridge.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration designed to “bridge” the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Whether a tooth was lost due to an accident or removed through extraction, a bridge can fill the space, restoring both the look and function of your smile.
Why are Dental Bridges Important?
Losing a tooth can affect more than just your appearance. A dental bridge offers several important benefits:
- Restores Function: It allows you to chew properly and speak clearly again.
- Prevents Shifting: It keeps your remaining teeth from drifting into the empty space, which can cause alignment issues.
- Maintains Facial Shape: It supports your lips and cheeks, preventing the sunken look that can occur with tooth loss.
- Creates a Balanced Bite: It distributes the forces of your bite evenly, reducing stress on other teeth.
- Boosts Confidence: It gives you a complete, natural-looking smile you can feel great about.
The Dental Bridge Process: Step by Step
- Consultation & Exam: Your journey begins with a thorough examination and a conversation about your smile goals.
- Treatment Planning: We’ll design a personalized plan and discuss the best type of bridge for your specific needs.
- Tooth Preparation: For a traditional bridge, we will carefully prepare the teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors, or abutments.
- Digital Impressions & Temporary Bridge: We take precise digital impressions of your teeth—no messy putty needed! You’ll receive a temporary bridge to wear while your final one is being crafted.
- Lab Fabrication: Your custom bridge is expertly made in a dental laboratory to match your natural teeth.
- Final Fitting: Once your bridge is ready, you’ll return for your final appointment. We’ll ensure a perfect fit and bite before securely bonding it in place.
- Follow-Up: We’ll schedule a follow-up to check on your new bridge and answer any questions.
Types of Dental Bridges
- Traditional Bridge: The most common type, it uses crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap to support the new tooth.
- Cantilever Bridge: Used when there is only one adjacent tooth available to support the bridge.
- Maryland Bridge: A conservative option that uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth.
- Implant-Supported Bridge: The most stable option, this bridge is anchored by dental implants rather than natural teeth.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
With proper care, your bridge can last for many years.
- Oral Hygiene: Brush carefully around the bridge. Use special tools like floss threaders, superfloss, or interdental brushes to clean underneath it.
- Diet: Initially, stick to softer foods as you adjust. Avoid chewing very hard or sticky items on your bridge.
- Regular Checkups: Continue with your regular cleanings and checkups so we can monitor your bridge and overall oral health.
- When to Call: Contact us if you feel your bite is off, if the bridge feels loose, or if you experience any pain.
Ready to Restore Your Smile?
If you have a missing tooth and live in the Owensboro, Philpot, or Whitesville area, a dental bridge could be the solution for you. Contact our friendly team at Dental Designs of Owensboro to learn more and schedule your consultation.
Contact Dental Designs of Owensboro:
270-683-0620
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303
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