Bridges Specialist
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Eastpointe Family Dental Center
General & Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics located in Eastpointe, MI
When you're missing a tooth or multiple teeth, you may end up with misaligned teeth, bite problems, and digestive issues that arise from your not being able to chew properly. Dr. Mark Solway of Eastpointe Family Dental Center in Eastpointe, Michigan, fits you with a natural-looking dental bridge to replace your teeth, restore proper function, and make you smile again. Teens, men, and women in the Eastpointe area who need to replace missing teeth can book a dental-bridge appointment online or call Dr. Solway's helpful team members.
Bridges Q & A
What’s a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a bridge-like construction that fills the gap left by your missing tooth or teeth with false teeth.
Dental bridges consist of pontics — the false teeth that go where your missing teeth once were — and crowns. A crown on either side of the bridge attaches over the teeth around the gap, so that your bridge is stable and strong.
The teeth around the gap are called abutment teeth. Dr. Solway and his team members file these teeth so that the crowns fit easily and comfortably over them. They then cement the crowns in place over the abutment teeth.
What are bridges made of?
Dr. Solway prefers porcelain bridges because they’re safer and look more natural than metal-based bridges. Porcelain bridges allow sunlight to filter through the tooth, just like a real tooth.
Porcelain bridges last for 10-15 years or longer. In contrast, the porcelain from metal bridges often erodes at the gum line, revealing the unattractive dark metal underneath.
If you prefer metal bridges, Dr. Solway offers those, too. You can discuss the advantages of each during your consultation.
What are the advantages of bridges?
Dental bridges restore your smile and seem like your real teeth.
Bridges are more stable than dentures and don’t have to be removed for cleaning. In fact, you clean them at the same time and in much the same manner that you clean your natural teeth. Brush and floss as usual, and see Dr. Solway and his team regularly for professional cleanings.
If you have natural teeth that can be used as abutment teeth, then you don’t need any oral surgery for a bridge. However, you can choose to have dental implants inserted as abutments so that your natural teeth don’t have to be filed — implants require oral surgery.
Dr. Solway and his staff match the color of the pontics and crowns in your bridge to your natural teeth.
What are the disadvantages of bridges?
In contrast to dentures, which require no changes to your teeth, bridges either require Dr. Solway’s team to file down your abutment teeth, or they require the insertion of dental implants to serve as the abutment teeth.
Bridges initially feel different from your real teeth, and you may have an adjustment period that affects your speech.
When you want a semi-permanent, stable way to replace your teeth, call the helpful Eastpointe Family Dental Center staff about bridges or book an appointment online.
