Dental Bridges – Grand Island, NE
Got Gaps? Fill Them in With Quality Replacements
Smile gaps can take many different forms, so replacement solutions should be just as unique! At Stec and Stines Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we can provide you with quality dental bridges for filling in multiple missing teeth in a row. Whether you’re interested in an implant bridge or a more traditional design, contact us to schedule your personalized treatment plan.
Why Choose Stec and Stines Cosmetic and Family Dentistry For Dental Bridges?
- Custom-Made Restorations Made From Durable Materials
- Luxury Patient Treatment For Maximum Comfort
- Implants Placed & Restored Under One Roof
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Picture a dental bridge as a single restoration that looks like several teeth stuck together. How it’s placed and supported depends on what style of bridge you choose, but ultimately, a dental bridge will allow you to eat and talk with a full set of teeth once again! The best part is that these replacements are customizable and tooth-colored. No one will know you’re wearing false teeth unless you tell them.
Types of Dental Bridges
Personalizing your replacements to suit your unique needs and preferences means having options. We offer traditional dental bridges and implant bridges. Each has their own advantages, which you can learn more about below:
Traditional Dental Bridge
This method utilizes strategic design. The teeth on each end of the bridge are actually dental crowns, supporting between them one to three replacement teeth (depending on how many you’re missing). In turn, the dental crowns are supported by the pearly whites that are on either side of your smile gap, seamlessly filling in the entire space.
Implant Bridge
Keep the picture of a traditional dental bridge in your mind but replace the dental crowns with titanium implants. That’s an implant bridge! This method directly connects your bridge to your jawbone, resulting in superior longevity, stability, and power. However, it also requires more time and financial investment. We’ll carefully review both options with you to determine which is right for your unique situation.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Curious, but still trying to calculate what the advantages of a dental bridge are? No worries – here’s what you can expect after receiving a dental bridge:
- A personalized restoration that will blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth
- No more awkward, row-like gaps when you smile or laugh
- Improved chewing ability so you can eat more nutritious, fulfilling meals
- Teeth that stay in place instead of shift and crowd to fill in dental voids
- Beautiful prosthetics that will last 10 or more years with proper care
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can Dental Bridges Get Cavities?
No, your dental bridge cannot develop cavities. That said, the natural teeth underneath the crowns can still decay, and your gums can get infected if you don’t brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash consistently. To put it simply, it’s of the utmost importance that you continue to commit to good oral hygiene habits, even though your restoration is decay-resistant.
What Can You Not Eat with a Dental Bridge?
Although dental bridges don’t come with a long list of dietary restrictions, there are some foods we recommend avoiding to prevent chips, cracks, and other damage. Hard pretzels, raw almonds, tortilla chips, and peanut brittle are great examples. We also recommend steering clear of extremely sticky sweets, like taffy, since they are loaded with added sugar and can pull your restoration out of position. Ultimately, the best thing to do is fill your plate with softer, more nutrient-dense foods that benefit your oral and overall health, including cottage cheese, oatmeal, bananas, and cooked carrots.
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?
On average, dental bridges last for 5-15 years. While there are several factors that play a role in the longevity of yours, including the material used, the biggest one is how well you care for your smile. If you constantly snack on sweets, you smoke, and you don’t brush and floss consistently, then it won’t take long for your restoration to break or fall out. If, on the other hand, you take great care of your smile at home, you come to our office every six months for a checkup, and you eat mostly healthy, well-balanced meals, then yours should last for well over a decade.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Dental bridges can replace up to four missing teeth in a row. Any more than that, and the restoration becomes unstable. If you are missing five or more, don’t worry – we can still fill the gaps in your smile! Our dentist near Grand Island also offers partial and full dentures as well as state-of-the-art dental implants.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
Although dental bridges are custom-made to look and feel just like your natural teeth, they are artificial. As a result, they do not respond to whitening treatments. The good news is that both the dental crowns and replacement teeth are custom-made from stain-resistant materials, so your bridge should always remain the same color.
Important reminder: If there does come a time when you are no longer happy with the color of your dental bridge, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We want all of our patients to have a smile they genuinely love, and we’re here to do whatever we can to make that possible.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
If you run your tongue over your dental bridge, it may feel slightly different. Aside from that, however, it should look and feel extremely natural. We use detailed impressions and only the best dental materials to ensure that’s the case!
