Help prevent tooth pain, decay, and gum disease to keep your mouth healthy.
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Crowns strengthen and restore damaged teeth and fill gaps.
Fillings restore damaged teeth and help prevent tooth decay.
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We offer many tooth replacement options like Implants, Crowns, and Dentures.
Our Grand Rapids dentists may suggest a dental bridge to repair your smile if you’ve recently lost a tooth either due to poor oral hygiene or extraction. To be a candidate for the procedure, you must have either healthy natural teeth already present or dental implants placed on both sides of the empty socket. We can discuss your options with you depending on the condition of your mouth.
Here’s how this form of dental restoration quite literally “bridges” the gap left by a missing tooth.
Dental bridges allow those missing one or more teeth to enjoy both functional and aesthetic benefits. Constructed from quality, long-lasting materials, a bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth (known as pontics) situated in between porcelain crowns that are anchored to the adjacent natural teeth or implants. This solution not only fills the gap that’s there, but also prevents the remaining teeth from shifting, which can lead to bite issues and further dental complications.
Ideal candidates for a dental bridge include individuals with healthy nearby teeth, adequate jawbone density (for implants), and good overall oral health. By opting for a dental bridge, you can:
At your first appointment inside our Grand Rapids, MI, dental office, our dentists will need to remove enamel from teeth on both sides of the present gap. This step ensures that the crowns will fit nicely on top of your teeth and not be too snug. Next, our dentists will take digital impressions of your teeth to send to the dental lab where your tooth bridge will be fabricated. A temporary bridge will then be placed so your smile remains protected while you wait for the final version.
After a few weeks have passed, your bridge will be ready. Our dentists will remove the temporary restoration and replace it with the permanent one. We’ll also make any necessary tweaks to the bridge so the end result is perfect before we cement it in place. Beyond final adjustments, we’ll answer any questions you may have and allow you to enjoy your new smile!
Our dental bridge dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, don’t want you to suffer the effects of missing teeth any longer. Call Contemporary Family Dental today at (616) 209-3969, or contact us online to schedule an appointment and learn more about how a bridge can improve your day-to-day life.