Is something missing from your smile? Do you wish you had a full set of teeth, or, at least, something that felt like a full set of teeth again? Sunrise Dental can help, and a dental bridge may be the solution you are seeking. Dental bridges are comfortable means of replacing the teeth that you are missing, and they can provide comparable function to healthy teeth. If you would like to learn more about what dental bridges are and what they can do for you, keep reading. If you would like to find out how to get a dental bridge, just contact any of our dentists in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, or Durham. What Is a Dental Bridge? A dental bridge is one kind of restorative dentistry. A bridge can be used to replace multiple teeth at the same time. Dental bridges are composed of dental crowns that have been connected to one another. You may already be aware that your teeth are divided into two parts the crown (which is visible) and the roots (which are hidden below your gums). Dental crowns and bridges are designed to replace the crowns of your missing or lost teeth. Crowns can be used to replace missing teeth, but bridges are a good option for this as well, depending on the type of bridge you receive. Kinds Of Bridges Just like bridges used in transportation, there is more than one kind of dental bridge. At Sunrise Dental, you are likely to receive one of three kinds of bridges. We’ll describe each of them below. ◆ The Traditional Bridge This kind of bridge is supported by the two teeth on each side of the space in your smile. This starts by reshaping those teeth in the same way we prepare a tooth for a dental crown. With a dental crown, we remove decayed or damaged parts of a tooth. By doing this, we are creating an abutment where we can bond the dental crown to the tooth. For a traditional dental bridge, we are creating two abutments. The bridge will be bonded to those teeth for support. A traditional bridge consists of two types of crowns. The abutment crowns are located on either end, and one or more pontics are located between them, depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced. ◆ The Cantilever Bridge This is similar to a traditional bridge except that it only has one abutment crown. These kinds of bridges are less common than traditional bridges. A cantilever bridge is one option for replacing a missing tooth in the back of your mouth. (However, you may want to consider a dental implant and crown instead.) The abutment crown is placed on the tooth nearest to the space once occupied by your lost tooth. The pontic rests over that space. ◆ The Implant-Supported Bridge In many cases, this is the most stable and secure dental bridge you can receive. Unlike the other bridges, this kind of bridge does not require removing parts of a tooth that may be healthy to serve as part of the support system. Instead, this bridge is placed on one or more dental implants. Earlier we mentioned that bridges replace the crowns of your missing teeth. Dental implants are used to replace the roots. Like roots, dental implants are placed into your jawbone. They also help to keep that bone healthy and strong by providing stimulation to the bone. The bone will bond to your implants, which keeps them firmly in place. The implant or implants have an abutment on the end so we can attach a dental crown or bridge onto them. Smile Again Our teeth have a big impact on our self-perception and on how other people perceive us. If you are missing multiple teeth, you may feel embarrassed. This may make you hesitant to speak or to smile at other people. You may worry that they will judge you because of your missing teeth. This may not be fair, but unfortunately, it may be true. We know people who won’t judge you — our staff at Sunrise Dental. If you come to use seeking help, we will do what we can to help you regain the confident smile you used to have and want to have again. Our dentists in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Durham want you to feel comfortable with your smile, so you can let it shine for everyone to see. Call or use the online form for the office closest to you to make your appointment.