Bridges

Losing teeth as an adult can seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’ve lost teeth due to injury, decay or disease, Dentistry at Millennium Park can help you replace missing teeth and regain your smile with a dental bridge.

We can seamlessly bridge the gap between two healthy teeth with a fixed bridge that matches your surrounding teeth. More than just aesthetics, a dental bridge repairs the strength of your bite and the look of your smile.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic that fills a gap left by missing teeth. The appliance is supported by adjacent teeth instead of using a post or artificial root, like a dental implant. 

To support the bridge, we place a dental crown, or cap, on the healthy abutment teeth between the gap. The fake teeth, or pontic, within the bridge then connects to the supporting abutment teeth.

Different types of bridges include porcelain and ceramic, and both are uniquely designed to match your natural surrounding teeth.

Who Should Get a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are a highly durable and aesthetically pleasing treatment option for patients missing a tooth. If you have a gap from a missing tooth with healthy, strong adjacent teeth, a bridge may be a solid alternative to getting a single tooth implant.

Since bridges do not have replacement roots like dental implants, the remaining teeth they fasten to must be healthy enough to both support the bridge and sustain the typical pressure and force of biting and chewing. For this reason, dental bridges are best for replacing just one to three teeth.

If you need to replace more than three teeth, a different restorative solution, like partial dentures or dental implants, is best. Since bridges can collapse if too much pressure is applied, a solution with artificial roots is best for larger areas.

How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?

Similar to implants, dentures and other false teeth appliances, dental bridges will not decay like natural teeth. However, proper care and upkeep is still necessary to get the most use out of your bridge.

By brushing, flossing and maintaining regular dental hygiene appointments, your dental bridge can last up to 15 years without needing a replacement. Usually, patients can get at least 10 years of use from their bridge.

Like a natural tooth, bridges can get chipped, cracked or damaged. If this happens, contact us as soon as possible at (312) 750-9000 to get a replacement.

Looking for a Dental Bridge Near You in Chicago?

At Dentistry at Millennium Park, our expert team specializes in restorative dentistry solutions that repair your smile and mouth back to total oral and aesthetic health. Call our office at (312) 750-9000 to discuss all of the services we offer to restore, protect and maintain your teeth.