Dental Bridges in Tampa
A filler tooth carried by crowns on the teeth either side of the gap.
Book a free consultationA dental bridge fills the space where a tooth used to be. The filler tooth is attached to crowns on the teeth either side of the gap, so those teeth carry it, and the whole span is bonded into place as one piece.
Leaving the gap is the thing to avoid. The remaining teeth around the space shift to fill it, which changes the bite and leads to other oral health issues. A bridge holds that line and keeps the teeth either side where they belong.
Dr. Moradian goes through the options for the span before anything is prepared, including whether an implant suits your case better. A bridge relies on the teeth either side; an implant does not touch them. Which one is right depends on how healthy those teeth are and how much bone is left in the gap.
Who it suits
A bridge suits one or two missing teeth with sound teeth standing either side of the gap, because those teeth carry the crowns that hold the filler tooth.
There are several options when choosing a dental bridge that your dentist will review with you, so you can replace a lost tooth due to disease or an injury. Where the neighboring teeth are healthy and untouched, an implant is worth comparing first, since it stands on its own and leaves them alone.
One or two teeth missing
Healthy teeth either side
Gap between healthy teeth
What happens, step by step
Consult
Your dentist reviews the options for the span and which teeth will carry the bridge.
Preparation
Before any dental work is done your dentist will use local anesthetic to ensure comfort during the entire process.
Impression
An impression of the prepared teeth goes to the dental lab, which builds the span and matches the filler tooth to the shade of the teeth around it.
Fitting
A bridge fills the gap in between healthy teeth or implants, and is tried in and checked against your bite.
Bonding
Once it is completed, the bridge device is bonded into place.
Dental Bridges questions
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is used to aid in filling a space where there used to be a tooth. Most dental bridges are made of a filler tooth, that is attached to dental crowns.
What happens if I do not replace the tooth?
If you do not apply a dental bridge then the remaining teeth surrounding the space shift, which leads to other oral health issues.
How many visits does it take?
Several. The teeth either side are prepared and an impression is taken at one visit, the dental lab builds the bridge, and it is fitted and bonded at another once it comes back.
Is the process uncomfortable?
Before any dental work is done your dentist will use local anesthetic to ensure comfort during the entire process.
Bridge or implant?
A bridge uses the teeth either side to carry the filler tooth, so those teeth are prepared for crowns. An implant stands on its own in the bone and leaves them untouched, but it needs enough bone to hold the post. The cone beam scan answers which is open to you.
Dental Bridges across Tampa Bay
Patients travel from 25 towns across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. Pick the one nearest you for directions and local questions.
Hillsborough County
Pinellas County
Pasco County
Restore missing teeth
Replacing a lost tooth protects the bone in your jaw and stops the teeth beside it drifting into the space. An implant, a bridge or a denture, depending on how many are gone.