Dental Bridge, Fairfax VA
Dental Bridge Fairfax VA
If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be concerned about the gap in your smile. A gap can affect your smile, chewing, and even your speech. If dental implants are too costly, you may want to consider an effective but less expensive alternative: a dental bridge. Dental bridges, as the name implies, bridge the gap in your mouth due to one or more missing teeth. A bridge requires two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap. These are called abutment teeth, and they support the bridge. An abutment can be a natural tooth or implant. A false tooth called a pontic is placed in the gap created by the missing tooth. Pontics can be made from various materials, including gold, porcelain, and alloys. Is a dental bridge right for you? Let the dentists at Breeze Dental assess your mouth and help you understand your options. Call us at (703) 844-2991 to schedule a consultation.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges have many advantages. They can:
- Fill in the gaps and restore your smile.
- Help you chew and speak better.
- Improve your bite by replacing missing teeth.
- Prevent sagging by maintaining the shape of your face.
- Keep teeth in place and prevent drifting.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are three types of dental bridges to choose from:
- Traditional bridges: This is the most common type of bridge. It requires a tooth on both sides of the gap. The dentist will create crowns for these teeth to strengthen them. A pontic is then placed in between. These bridges are typically made of ceramics or porcelain fused to metal.
- Cantilever bridges: These bridges are used when adjacent teeth are on just one side of the missing teeth. Getting Cantilever bridges in Fairfax is not too common anymore and can only be done in the front due to forces that can damage the back teeth.
- Maryland bridges: These bridges are typically made of porcelain or porcelain fused with metal. They are supported by a metal or porcelain framework. Metal or porcelain wings are bonded to your existing teeth.
The Process
Dental bridges in Fairfax can take several visits. The abutment teeth are prepared during the first visit. During the preparation, the dentist will recontour these teeth by removing part of the enamel. This will allow room for a crown to be placed on them. The dentist will then make impressions of the teeth to serve as a model so that the lab can create the bridge, pontic, and crowns. Your bridge will typically be made of porcelain or metal. In the meantime, you will wear a temporary bridge. On the second visit, your temporary bridge will be replaced with your new permanent bridge. It will be checked and adjusted, as needed, to ensure it fits properly. It may be temporarily cemented and checked again in a couple of weeks. At that time, the dentist may then permanently cement the bridge into place.
3545 Chain Bridge Rd Ste 105