Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges in Bismarck & Garrison ND

Dental Bridges Bismarck ND
At Deeter Dental, we understand that missing teeth can affect your self-esteem, and we know how important it is to have a smile you are not afraid to show off. There is more than one option available to you if you are missing a tooth or teeth, and one of those options is a dental bridge.

What Is A Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is one or more false teeth that are permanently placed between two healthy teeth to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The phrase “false teeth” can be misleading, however, as dental bridges are permanently fixed in your mouth and cannot be removed the way dentures can.

Your bridge will be secured by dental crowns that are placed on your adjoining healthy teeth. On some occasions may be supported by dental implants. Modern cosmetic dentistry allows us to create porcelain dental bridges that very closely match the shapes and colors of your surrounding teeth, enabling them to look very natural.

Why Choose Deeter Dental Care for Your Dental Bridge?

Cosmetic dentists and specially trained dental technicians are best qualified to create a dental bridge, particularly a porcelain dental bridge. Our dentists at Deeter Dental Center have trained at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), the premier cosmetic dentistry school in North America, providing them with the skills and experience to offer you the most natural-looking restoration possible.

Dental Bridge vs. Dental Implant

dental implant is surgically placed into your jaw and over time, it fuses with the bone to mimic the anchoring qualities of a natural tooth root. It is a more conservative restoration than a bridge since adjoining teeth do not have to be used as abutments. They are also a more versatile restoration since they do not require a natural tooth on either side for support.

Dental Bridges Bismarck ND

Types of Dental Bridges

Your dental bridge may be made of one of three types or combinations of material:

  • Porcelain
  • Gold
  • Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)

Most often, we recommend all-porcelain dental bridges. However, if you are a good candidate for a dental implant, we will generally recommend this treatment over a dental bridge.

What Are The Advantages of Dental Bridges over Dental Implants?

The primary advantage of dental bridges over dental implants is that the treatment process is completed much more quickly. Patients can have their smile fully restored in a matter of a few weeks vs. several months. Dental bridge treatment also does not require surgery, as does the dental implant procedure.

What Are The Disadvantages of Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges offer several advantages and also have a few disadvantages. It is important to know what these are to determine the best method of treatment.

Tooth replacement often involves dental bridges due to both aesthetic and functional benefits. Aesthetically, a dental bridge can restore the nuanced characteristics of the natural smile. The replacement teeth in the bridge are made to match the color of surrounding teeth, thus supporting a fully natural appearance. Having a lifelike dental restoration enables patients to feel comfortable and confident when they smile. Functionally, a dental bridge supports normal chewing and speaking. Closing the gap between two teeth, the bridge minimizes the risks of gum disease and tooth misalignment. Finally, dental bridges are quite easy to maintain with daily brushing and flossing.

Disadvantages of dental bridges largely revolve around the manipulation of abutment teeth. To secure a dental bridge, it is necessary to reduce two healthy teeth so crowns can be fitted over them. Reducing tooth structure makes the tooth vulnerable to damage in the future. However, because a crown is placed over the reduced tooth, it is well supported to withstand normal chewing and biting.

During your consultation, we will discuss how a dental bridge may benefit you and what disadvantages exist based on your situation.

What is the procedure for a dental bridge?

Once Dr. Matt, Dr. Terry, or Dr. Lucas has determined that a dental bridge is the best option for you, he will prepare the tooth or teeth which will support the tooth crown to be used in conjunction with your bridge. We will take an impression of your prepared tooth or teeth and space where the missing tooth used to reside. A temporary dental bridge will be placed so you can continue to eat and drink as usual.

The impression of your mouth will be sent to a local specialized dental lab where the porcelain dental bridge will be created by a highly trained technician. A dental bridge made of porcelain can be tinted to match your surrounding teeth and will look very natural. When your dental bridge returns from the lab, we will affix it to your prepared tooth or teeth using a strong dental adhesive.

Dental Bridges Bismarck ND

How Long Does The Dental Bridge Procedure Take?

Two visits are needed to complete the dental bridge process. Each visit may take an hour to an hour and a half. During the first visit, teeth are prepared to hold the bridge. After preparation, digital impressions are taken of the teeth to guide the fabrication of the restoration. A temporary bridge may be inserted at this time, as well. The second visit takes place about two weeks later when the final bridge is returned from the dental lab. During this visit, the temporary bridge is removed and replaced with the new restoration.

Is The Dental Bridge Procedure Painful?

It is not painful to get a dental bridge. As needed, a local anesthetic can be administered during the preparation step when abutment teeth are slightly reduced. The local anesthetic numbs the teeth being treated so no pain is felt. The removal and replacement of the temporary bridge can typically be well tolerated without anesthetic because no further tooth reduction is performed. During the second visit, patients feel slight pressure and friction as a small tool is used to remove adhesive from enamel.

What Should I Expect After my Dental Bridge Procedure?

When local anesthesia is used for a dental procedure, patients can expect numbness to last a few hours after leaving the office. Once full sensation returns to the mouth, the gums or teeth may feel slightly tender or sensitive to hot and cold. These sensations subside quickly as nerves in the teeth settle down.

Are Dental Bridges Removable?

Dental bridges are made to be fixed. They do not require the same care as removable dentures, which need to be taken out of the mouth and cleaned every day. Patients appreciate that their fixed dental bridge feels very natural and requires very little extra care for long-term maintenance.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

A dental bridge can last from 5 to 15 years. It is not uncommon for a bridge to remain functional for more than 10 years. To maintain a bridge in optimal condition, patients are encouraged to practice good daily hygiene, maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings, and to avoid biting on hard objects.

iTero: Digital Impression Technology

Dental Bridges Bismark | Deeter Dental Group ND

iTero’s accurate imaging results in significantly improved restorations and patients have a better experience without uncomfortable impressions.

  • Eliminates the discomfort of impressions and re-impressions
  • Shortens seating appointments by 22% and virtually eliminates return appointments
  • Powder-free scanning for patient comfort
  • Provides real-time, high-impact visualizations to help you educate patients

Patient Testimonial

“After having bad luck with other local dentists, and a recommendation from my little brother, I gave these guys a shot. The compassion and care the whole staff offers is why I still enjoy going to the dentist. The whole staff is welcoming and don’t put anyone down for their care on their teeth. Every visit has been an enjoyable one, no matter what kind of care was being done. Dr. Matt doesn’t cut corners and is very up front on what can be done to fix or promote better tooth care. Any anxiety about or from the dentist is put to rest with these guys. I highly recommend Deeter Dental to anyone wanting better care of their teeth.”

Christopher – March 2019

Click to view more patient testimonials

Does Insurance Cover Dental Bridges?

Many insurance companies do offer coverage for dental bridge treatment or a portion of this restorative procedure. Patients are encouraged to contact their dental insurance directly for detailed information regarding their benefits.

How Should I Care For My Porcelain Bridge?

Because dental bridges are most commonly made of dental porcelain, a very strong material, they do not require any special care. You should still brush and floss around them as you do your natural teeth, and pay close attention to your gum health. However, because the false tooth is fused to one or more neighboring tooth crowns, you will not be able to floss between the false tooth and its neighbors.


Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about dental bridges, please contact our Bismarck cosmetic dentists today. Our team serves patients in Bismarck, North Dakota, and surrounding communities. Call our Bismarck office at 701.222.1800 or our Garrison office at 701.463.2884.

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