Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can give you a healthy, natural-looking smile when you have one or several missing teeth. If you’re considering the best option for your lost teeth, Alex Pastel, DDS, and Megan Morrow, DDS, of Pastel Dental can help. They specialize in cosmetic procedures like fitting dental bridges at their practice in the Laurel Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California.

FAQs

Everything you need to know about dental care

What are dental bridges?

Dental bridges are a restorative option used to replace missing teeth and restore both function and appearance. A bridge is made up of crowns placed on the teeth next to the gap, which support and hold the replacement tooth or teeth in place.

At Pastel Dental, we also offer different types of bridges depending on your needs. These include cantilever bridges, which are used when there is only one supporting tooth next to the gap, and Maryland bonded (resin-bonded) bridges, which are often used to replace missing front teeth in a more conservative way.

Why should I consider having dental bridges?

Dental bridges have numerous benefits. They can:

Improve your smile
Restore the shape of your face
Help you chew normally
Ensure you speak clearly
Take the strain off your other teeth
Prevent your other teeth from moving

Empty spaces in your jaw can also lead to deterioration of the bone over time, which a dental bridge prevents.

What happens when I have dental bridges fitted?

Your dentist at Pastel Dental begins the process of fitting dental bridges by preparing your adjoining teeth for crowns. These teeth are known as abutment teeth. They require reshaping to ensure the crowns fit correctly, which involves your dentist removing areas of enamel and dentin (the top two layers of your teeth). Next, your dentist makes impressions of the abutment teeth that go to a dental laboratory where they make your bridge. In the meantime, your dentist fits a temporary bridge to protect your abutment teeth. You return to Pastel Dental when your bridge is ready. Your dentist extracts the temporary bridge and replaces it with the permanent one, adjusting the fit if required. When the bridge fits perfectly, your dentist can secure it using dental cement.

How long can dental bridges last?

Dental bridges frequently last for seven or more years. Good oral hygiene practices and regular professional teeth cleaning at Pastel Dental could extend the lifespan of your dental bridge to 10 years or more.