A dental bridge is a quality restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. Bridges restore chewing and speaking ability while completing your healthy smile.

In Nassau County, NY, dental bridges cost approximately $600 to $1,600 per tooth.

Parts of a Dental Bridge

• Abutment teeth: Traditional bridges rely on having healthy teeth on either side of the gap. If these teeth are weak, the bridge may fail. Your dentist may recommend an implant-supported bridge if you do not have healthy abutment teeth.
• Crowns: The abutment teeth receive dental crowns to hold the framework and artificial teeth.
• Pontics: These are the artificial teeth held between the crowned abutments. They sit on top of the gum.
• Framework: This structure holds the crowns and pontics together.

Dental Bridge Types

Traditional Bridge

A traditional bridge rests on two abutment teeth with dental crowns. The pontics sit between the crowns and fill the gap. Typically, this type of bridge works best when patients are missing only one or two teeth.

Cantilever Bridge

If only one abutment tooth is available, your dentist may choose a cantilever bridge. However, these bridges stress the abutment tooth; your dentist may recommend an implant-supported bridge.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge does not use crowns as abutments. Instead, it has tiny metal wings cemented to adjacent teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

An implant-supported bridge is the sturdiest and longest-lasting type. It preserves the health of adjacent natural teeth while providing excellent chewing function. Two dental implants serve as abutments.

Good Candidates for Dental Bridges

• One or more missing teeth
• Strong teeth on either side of the gap or the ability to receive dental implants
• Healthy gums with no active periodontal disease
• Excellent oral hygiene

The Dental Bridge Process

The dental bridge process typically takes only a few appointments; your dentist can complete it in approximately two to three weeks.

First Appointment

Your dentist will explain how bridges work and determine whether you are a good candidate for the appliance.

If you proceed, your dentist will take a detailed set of digital or physical impressions. These impressions will help them design your bridge to blend harmoniously with your natural teeth.

The dentist will prepare your abutment teeth for crowns and take another set of impressions to ensure the bridge fits perfectly. You will go home with a temporary bridge to protect your prepared teeth.

Second Appointment

Your dentist will send specifications to the lab, and when your final bridge arrives, you will return to the office.

The doctor will check the bridge's fit. When you are both comfortable with it, they will cement the bridge in place.It may take a few weeks to become accustomed to the bridge. Let your dentist know if discomfort persists.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges

Why should I replace a missing tooth with a bridge?

Your oral health may suffer if you do not replace a missing tooth. Your other teeth will shift, either becoming gapped or crowded. Plaque and food will gather in the empty socket, increasing your chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Your face shape may change, aging your appearance.

How do I care for my dental bridge?

Caring for a bridge is not difficult but requires discipline. Brush at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Clean under and around your dental bridge using interproximal brushes and floss threaders, which are easy to find at the pharmacy. Use a fluoride mouthwash. If you keep your bridge clean, it will last longer, and you will lower your chance of developing gum disease or tooth decay.

You will need to be cautious with certain types of food and drinks. Avoid anything too cold or hard, as these can crack or break your bridge. Avoid anything sticky that may become caught underneath. Do not chew your nails or non-food objects. Be cautious with chewy foods like steak and corn.

Contact The Ricco Dental Group

If you have a missing tooth, don't wait to replace it, or you risk endangering your oral health. A dental bridge can complete your healthy smile and improve your chewing ability.

Please contact us today at our offices in Plainview, NY, or Massapequa, NY. We would gladly schedule a consultation with one of our expert restorative dentists.

Dental bridges generally last for 10 to 15 years. However, with excellent care, they could last for decades. These restorative appliances can replace three to four teeth at a time, preserving tooth alignment and oral health.

About Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a sturdy structure that holds artificial teeth, also known as pontics. The pontics sit in the gap between teeth, creating a bright and natural-looking smile.

Types of Dental Bridges

Crown-Supported Bridge

A traditional bridge connects two dental crowns, one on either side of the gap in the patient's teeth.

Cantilever Bridge

A crown or implant supports a cantilever bridge on only one side. These bridges put more force on the supporting tooth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

This type of bridge connects to sturdy dental implants. It puts no stress on surrounding healthy teeth and lasts significantly longer than a crown-supported bridge.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge does not connect to crowns or implants. It has metal "wings" that support the pontics. This type of bridge puts more strain on the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap.

Advantages of Dental Bridges

Restore Your Healthy Smile

Most patients who want a dental bridge do so because they feel uneasy about having a gap between their teeth. Dental bridges provide an excellent aesthetic replacement for missing teeth.

Improve Speech

Missing teeth may cause difficulty forming certain sounds. If you are missing multiple teeth, it may be challenging for others to understand your speech. A bridge lets you talk normally.

Improve Chewing Function

With a dental bridge, you can chew food naturally. You may need to avoid chewing certain types of food, such as hard candies and nuts, on the same side of your mouth as your bridge.

Prevent Teeth from Drifting

You may have noticed your other teeth shifting into new positions if you have missing teeth. If your teeth move too much, they could become loose.

Placing a Dental Bridge

Getting a dental bridge is easier than you may think. The first step is consulting an expert restorative dentist to assess your smile and help you determine what you want.

The dentist performs a complete examination and takes digital X-rays to understand your oral anatomy.

At your next appointment, the dentist shapes the abutment teeth to prepare them for crowns. 

The dentist will take digital or physical impressions of your newly prepared teeth and use these impressions to design your final bridge. Your dentist will provide a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth.

After the bridge returns from the lab, your dentist will call you to schedule a fitting. The dentist will take out your temporary bridge and clean around it if necessary. Then, they will cement the new bridge and ensure it fits.

Follow-Up Appointments

Please keep all your follow-up appointments after receiving your bridge. Your dentist must check the fit and the health of the surrounding teeth. They can also answer all your questions about caring for your new bridge.

Cleaning Your New Bridge

To clean your bridge, use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Floss underneath it with a water flosser, floss threader, or interproximal brush. The floss threader and interproximal brush are available at your local pharmacy.

If food becomes lodged under your bridge and you cannot get it out, call your dentist for help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges

Who is a good candidate for a dental bridge?

Most patients missing a tooth could benefit from a bridge. The following patients are the best candidates:

• Missing one tooth or a few neighboring teeth
• Healthy teeth on either side of the gap or the ability to receive dental implants to support the bridge
• Good gum health
• Excellent oral hygiene skills

How long does it take to get used to a dental bridge?

Chewing with a bridge can be strange at first. Your gums will need a few days to a few weeks to become accustomed to the new bridge. Eat softer foods at first until you become more comfortable with your bridge.

Contact The Ricco Dental Group

If you have damaged or missing teeth, you may be interested in receiving a dental bridge. A bridge can help preserve your oral health and restore your healthy smile. Contact us at one of our convenient Long Island locations today with questions or to schedule a consultation.