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Dental Bridges – Annapolis, MD

Quickly Replace Several Teeth at Once

Depending on the situation, you may lose several adjacent teeth before getting prosthetics. Should that happen, you might worry a dentist could only replace one tooth per treatment —something that would cost a lot of time and money. Luckily, there’s a way to avoid that scenario: Get a dental bridge in Annapolis! As provided by Dr. Vanik and his team , this item could restore your smile all at once with several new chompers. Please read about it below to learn more, or book an initial visit to get details in person.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A close-up of a dental bridge in Annapolis

A dental bridge is an appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. Per its name, it “bridges” a smile gap with materials fused to either side of a replacement tooth. As such, the prosthetic is normally permanent and stays secure over time.

 

Factors that make for a good bridge candidate include:

 

  • Missing one or more permanent teeth
  • Having healthy teeth and a strong bone structure to support the bridge
  • Being able to perform oral hygiene to maintain a bridge’s condition

 

The Types of Dental Bridges

A type of dental bridge in Annapolis

There are two types of dental bridges: the traditional model and the implant model. To know the one that’s right for you, you’ll need to consult with Dr. Vanik first. The two bridges differ from each other, after all, so he needs to know which is better suited for your needs. To that end, he’ll examine your mouth, learn your smile goals, and ask about your medical history. Once he’s done so, our team can make an expert suggestion on the type to get.

 

Traditional Dental Bridge

A 3D illustration of a traditional dental bridge in Annapolis

A traditional bridge is the more popular of the two kinds. Using dental crowns, it secures itself to abutments that sit next to your smile gap. However, doing so alters some of your natural teeth to replace the missing ones. Still, the treatment results are lifelike because the crowns are made of lifelike ceramic.

 

Implant Bridge

A 3D illustration of an implant dental bridge in Annapolis

While a traditional bridge stays secure with crowns, an implant one is fixed to your jaw with dental implants. As such, it relies on artificial teeth that naturally fuse with your jawbone over time.

 

An implant bridge has a few more perks compared to the traditional kind. For one thing, it won’t slip when you talk or chew. Furthermore, it doesn’t require the alteration of your surrounding teeth.

 

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge

A man looking at his dental bridge from Annapolis

A dental bridge will prevent you from having long-term oral problems. As a result, it’ll offer you benefits like:

 

  • A Straighter Smile : A bridge will stop your teeth from tilting toward empty spaces by filling the gaps in your smile.
  • A Younger Face: Because implant dentures fuse with your jaw, they stimulate and maintain the tissue in your jawbone. As such, they’ll keep you from suffering facial collapse.
  • Higher Confidence : Dental bridges are lifelike and blend with surrounding teeth, thanks to modern technology.
  • Better Chewing: Implant dentures look and act like natural teeth, improving your ability to speak and eat.

As you can see, a dental bridge in Annapolis can positively impact your smile. Therefore, consider visiting the Vanik Dental Group office for a consultation visit !

Dental Bridge FAQs

A close-up of dental bridges in Annapolis

So, maybe you think a dental bridge in Annapolis sounds like a good idea. You may even believe the prosthetic could really help your smile! However, there’s a good chance you still have concerns about this restoration. After all, you don’t want to commit to something you know little about. It’s a good thing, then, that Vanik Dental Group has you covered: Listed below are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding dental bridges. Read them to confirm whether the treatment is right for you! Otherwise, you can always book a visit for more details.

Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?

To put it simply, dental bridge treatments don’t hurt. Dental practices that perform them ensure a painless experience.

You see, the treating dentist will numb your teeth before the prep work. That way, the pearly whites won’t feel anything from the process. Plus, a dentist can always add sedation to the mix for patients with dental anxiety.

At most, you’ll only feel discomfort for a few days following the bridge placement. Fortunately, OTC pain relievers should help with that symptom. Furthermore, your dentist may provide aftercare instructions to minimize pain.

Are Dental Bridges Safe?

Yes — when placed by an experienced dentist, a dental bridge is 100% safe. Neither the placement nor the appliance itself will harm your health.

Crucially, bridges today don’t have toxic ingredients. Metal ones don’t use mercury, while tooth-colored materials like ceramic and zirconia are non-toxic. A patient may be allergic to a bridge’s alloy, but this effect is mild at most. If necessary, though, you can always get a metal-free bridge instead.

Of course, you should call your dentist at once if you experience gum irritation, redness, or swelling near the bridge. These symptoms could show you have a dental problem.

Is a Partial Denture the Same as a Bridge?

True enough, people sometimes call partial dentures “removable bridges.” However, they aren’t the same thing as a traditional fixed bridge.

For one thing, a bridge stays in place for many years and can only be removed by a dentist. A partial denture, in contrast, is something a patient can remove at any time. The latter’s lack of permanence, then, sets it apart.

Another difference is that bridges only replace missing teeth if they’re consecutive. Their pontics and crowns are fused to one another, so the replaced pearly whites need to be adjacent. On the other hand, partials can bring back several teeth at various points along an arch.

Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?

Often enough, dental bridges can and do look natural. Thanks to their unique features, they usually blend in with surrounding teeth. Furthermore, they don’t fall out of your mouth like dentures might.

Metal-free bridges, for example, rely on ceramic, zirconia, and similar materials. As such, their teeth can be color-matched to your natural ones. In fact, these chompers are so enamel-like that light bounces off of them in the same way.

Granted, bridges made from gold and silver won’t look natural. Fortunately, these kinds are only used for teeth that aren’t visible in your smile.