Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a great way to close a gap in your smile. Robert A. Scherrer, DMD, and the team at Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood have extensive experience creating strong and affordable bridgework, helping many Ridgewood, New Jersey, residents feel great about their smiles. Book a visit online or by phone today to learn more. 

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. Bridgework is durable and visually appealing. Once in place, your bridge is virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. 

A dental bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth held in place by a dental crown on each adjacent natural tooth. Some versions only require a crown on one side and offer the chance to replace your back molars. Both the artificial teeth and the crowns are crafted to have the same sheen and tiny imperfections as natural teeth. 

A bridge is a great alternative to partial dentures. Because the bridgework is permanently affixed to your teeth, there are no issues with shifting and no need to limit your diet to avoid foods that are difficult to chew.  

Why choose a dental bridge over dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent replacement for natural teeth. They anchor directly within your bone tissue, which also helps preserve a healthy jaw. However, for dental implants to be successful, you need to have enough bone tissue to firmly anchor the implanted post. 

Bridges offer the chance to restore your smile even if you don’t have dense bone tissue. The process of getting bridgework is less time-consuming than dental implants. Affordability is also a primary benefit of bridgework, but it’s important to understand that your bridge will eventually need to be replaced. 

How do I take care of my new dental bridge?

Taking care of a dental bridge is easy. You simply brush your teeth normally and floss around the bridge. Your dentist shows you techniques for flossing once your bridge is installed. 

While you can eat all different foods with a dental bridge, it’s important to avoid placing undue pressure on the restoration. Chewing ice or biting down on hard non-food items can cause problems, just like natural teeth. 

Your dentist checks your bridge during your routine dental exams, and if you ever experience a problem between visits, just call the office to schedule a visit. Online booking is also an option and allows you to schedule any time of day or night.