(734) 996-0200Dental Bridges – Ann Arbor, MI
Replace Your Teeth, Rebuild Your Smile
For many years, tooth replacement has been performed with the help of long-lasting, natural-looking dental bridges. If you’re tired of staring at a gap in your smile or you find it difficult to eat many of your favorite foods, having a dental bridge can make all the difference in the world! Dr. Olsen will work with you to create a custom restoration that looks as natural as possible and fills the gap in your smile. You’ll love the many benefits provided by dental brindges in Ann Arbor, MI, so feel free to call our dental office directly to learn more!
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a restoration consisting of multiple dental crowns that are fused together. A bridge can be customized to replace a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth depending on how severe your tooth loss might be. Each bridge has a crown on either side that is hollowed out, allowing it to attach to existing teeth in your jaw. This means that your current tooth enamel needs to be adjusted so it can hold the bridge, much like a traditional dental crown. The restorations in between the hollowed out crowns, also known as pontics, fill the gap in your smile. With regular maintenance, your bridge should last 10 to 15 years.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Bridges?
If you are missing one or more consecutive teeth and you have good oral health overall, you should be more than eligible to receive a dental bridge! Prior to your treatment, we’ll perform an exam of your mouth to determine the state of your oral health. If you have tooth decay, gum disease, or any other underlying conditions that could influence your ability to receive dental bridges, you’ll need to make sure that these issues are handled before it can be placed.
How Dental Bridge Placement Works
After we confirm that you’re eligible for a dental bridge, we’ll capture detailed impressions of your teeth using our digital impression scanner. With this technology, we capture hundreds of photos of your mouth to create a 3D image. This will be used to create the final bridge we attach to your teeth. Prior to placement, a pair of your teeth will need to be slightly modified so they can hold the bridge with confidence. Fabricating your bridge takes about two weeks to complete, so you’ll come back to our dental office at a second appointment to have it placed then.
Benefits of Having a Dental Bridge
Other than having a complete smile that you’re proud to show off, dental bridges work to prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of place. Teeth naturally move towards open gaps after teeth are lost as a way to compensate, but dental bridges make sure your existing teeth do not shift and misalign your smile or your bite. You’ll also find that it’s easier to eat a wider array of foods and digest food more effectively. Speaking also becomes easier, giving you the confidence to talk more with friends and family.