What Is the Process of Getting a Traditional Dental Bridge to Replace a Tooth?

A missing tooth can affect your self-confidence and cause ongoing discomfort, especially when you try to eat. Traditional dental bridges offer a standard way to replace teeth, but what exactly happens when you get one? At Niles Dental, our dentists in Woodbridge, VA, offer the following info on what this process is like.

Numbing Your Mouth

We don’t want you to feel any discomfort during this treatment, so we use local anesthesia to numb the affected area.

Preparing the Neighboring Teeth

Traditional dental bridges in Woodbridge, VA, include crowns on the adjacent teeth that hold the bridge structure with the replacement tooth securely. We need to remove some enamel from these teeth for the crowns.

Taking Impressions of Your Teeth

We use these dental impressions to design and create your permanent bridge. Since it’s based on your natural teeth, it offers aesthetic appeal and a comfortable fit.

Providing a Temporary Bridge

We may place a temporary bridge in your mouth until your custom bridge is ready. It might take a couple of weeks or more for that to happen.

Placing Your Permanent Crowns and Bridge Structure

You’ll visit us again to have your custom bridge placed in your mouth. We’ll make sure it’s comfortable and make adjustments as needed.

Bonding Your New Bridge

We need to bond this structure to help it stay in place, so it won’t slide or move out of position.

Schedule a Dental Bridge Appointment Today!

Are you planning to replace a missing tooth with a bridge? Our dental team at Niles Dental offers dental bridges in Woodbridge, VA, for tooth restoration. We can determine the right type of bridge for your situation and provide details on what to expect from this process.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Dental Bridge?

Missing teeth can cause functional and aesthetic issues for you, but a dental bridge can replace them. In fact, bridges are among the more common options for tooth replacement. Our dentists in Woodbridge, VA, at Niles Dental offer this restoration for many patients. But it’s important to consider potential advantages and disadvantages first.

Pros of Dental Bridges

Natural Appearance

A dental bridge is customized to resemble the appearance of your natural teeth, giving you an enhanced smile.

Restored Tooth Functioning

Replacing a missing tooth with a bridge means you’re able to chew again without any issues. Bridges can also help you speak clearly if missing teeth are affecting your speech.

No Shifting

Getting dental bridges in Woodbridge, VA, helps prevent neighboring teeth from moving over to help close the gap where your missing tooth was.

Cons of Dental Bridges

Bridge Weakening

The condition of a traditional dental bridge depends on the condition of the adjacent teeth that act as anchors. Decay or other issues with these teeth may weaken your bridge.

Fractured Neighboring Teeth

Adjacent teeth need enough strength to help hold a dental bridge in place. Otherwise, they might develop cracks or fractures.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Risks

Dental bridges have nooks and crevices that can be tough to clean. If you don’t brush and floss these areas, you can end up with gum disease or tooth decay.

Visit Us for a Dental Bridge!

Are you exploring your options for restoring a tooth? At Niles Dental, our dental team offers dental bridges in Woodbridge, VA, along with other restoration options. We can help you weigh the pros and cons of bridges and decide if that’s the right solution for you!

 Benefits of Dental Bridges

Do you have a missing tooth or a couple of teeth in a row that are missing? This can cause discomfort while eating and embarrassment while smiling or talking to others. A dental bridge can replace missing teeth — restoring tooth function and raising confidence. Our dentists in Woodbridge, VA, at Niles Dental offer this option for tooth restoration. Let’s explore a few benefits that dental bridges provide!

Stabilize the Adjacent Teeth

Did you know that when a tooth is gone, the teeth on either side try to fill in the gap? This can lead to issues with your bite as those teeth move out of their normal position. Dental bridges stop those neighboring teeth from shifting.

Restore Speaking and Eating Abilities

With an artificial tooth or pontic in place, you’ll be able to chew your food without trouble. You’ll also be able to talk more clearly instead of having a hard time saying certain words. Restoring these abilities helps improve your day-to-day life!

Enhance Your Smile

Having a dental bridge replace missing teeth instantly makes your smile better! You won’t have noticeably large gaps between your teeth anymore so you can smile with greater confidence.

Less Invasive Than Other Restorations

Getting a bridge involves having the teeth on either side prepared with some enamel removal. But this isn’t as invasive as other options, such as implants that require surgical implantation in your jawbone.

Set Up an Appointment for Dental Care in Woodbridge!

Are you ready to have your missing teeth replaced? Our dentists at Niles Dental can fit you with a bridge to restore your smile! We offer dental bridges in Woodbridge, VA, along with other tooth restoration options.