Missing teeth cause more than just cosmetic concerns. They affect your bite pattern and make chewing or speaking more difficult. It’s important to pursue tooth replacement options for missing teeth to prevent further tooth loss from occurring. At Bethesda Family Smiles, we offer dental bridges as a tooth replacement option to patients who have suffered from tooth loss. Perfect for patients missing one or more consecutive teeth, dental bridges cosmetically restore your smile and give your remaining dental structures additional support. Learn more about dental bridges below.
Dental Bridge in Bethesda, MD
Dr. Khanna is an experienced restorative dentist in Bethesda, MD. She helps patients restore their smiles following tooth loss using dental bridges. Our dental bridges are designed to discreetly hold a prosthetic tooth in place of a missing tooth to restore the look, feel, and function of your natural smile. We also offer other tooth replacement options such as dental implant restorations as well as dentures and partials. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions regarding dental bridges below:
What should I expect from the dental bridge procedure?
Dental bridges require the support of your surrounding teeth. When it is decided that you will receive a dental bridge, Dr. Khanna will prepare the supportive teeth by shaping them to make space for the dental bridge hardware. Once complete, she will take impressions and send them to our lab for the construction of your permanent dental bridge. We will provide you with a temporary bridge to use while we wait for your permanent restoration to be made. Once your bridge is complete, we will call you back in for another appointment in which we will cement the restoration into your smile.
How should I maintain the health of my dental bridge?
Your dental bridge will need some additional oral hygiene care. You should ensure that you are brushing in and around your dental bridge to prevent food residue from getting caught in the hardware. Because dental bridges are completely external, unlike dental implants which are protected by your own soft tissues, you should also avoid eating excessively crunchy or chewy foods as this may damage your dental restoration.
How long will my dental bridge last?
This largely depends on your dietary habits and oral hygiene routine. With the proper care, dental bridges can last up to ten years. However, many patients go anywhere from 5 to 7 years before needing a replacement.