Our dentists can place a made completely of porcelain. That way, your newest restoration matches the rest of your teeth.
In the past, dentists used porcelain bridges fused to metal. Today, we’re able to make your entire bridge out of porcelain for the best aesthetic results.
Request an appointment with one of our dentists in Grandville, MI. Our team is committed to helping you with your restorative dental needs.
A traditional dental bridge has a metal base covered by a veneer of porcelain. As a result, you can sometimes see a black line at the edge of the gums. This is especially the case if the patient’s gums have receded over time.
Some dentists try to hide the margin of the dental bridge by slipping it a little under the gums. Yet, this can later cause issues with your teeth and gums. We prefer using all-porcelain dental bridges instead. Porcelain bridges have a translucency that helps them look like natural teeth. This means you won’t ever see a dark line near your gums.
A dental bridge anchors a false tooth in place by crowns on adjacent teeth. Our dentists may recommend a if you recently lost a tooth. To be a candidate for a porcelain bridge, you must also have healthy teeth or implants on both sides of the gap.
First, our dentists will remove tooth structure from the teeth next to the empty space. They’ll then take digital impressions of your teeth to send to the lab that will make your dental bridge. While you wait for your permanent bridge, we’ll place a temporary cover over your teeth. Our front desk staff will call you to schedule your next visit once your porcelain bridge is ready.
When you return, our dentists will make sure your porcelain bridge is the right size, shape, and color. We’ll then replace the temporary bridge with a permanent one.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or implants. It literally “bridges” the gap where teeth are missing.
Dental bridges typically last 10-15 years with proper care, and some can last even longer. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene help extend their lifespan.
The main types include traditional bridges (anchored to crowns on adjacent teeth), cantilever bridges (supported by one adjacent tooth), and implant-supported bridges (anchored to dental implants). Traditional bridges are the most common.
Yes, once you adjust to your bridge, you can eat most foods normally. Avoid very hard or sticky foods that could damage the bridge, and cut tough foods into smaller pieces initially.
Clean your bridge by brushing twice daily and using floss threaders or water flossers to clean underneath the artificial tooth. Special bridge floss and interdental brushes can help remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas.
The teeth supporting a traditional bridge (called abutment teeth) are reshaped and crowned to hold the bridge in place. This permanent alteration is why some patients choose implants instead of bridges.
Our dentists in Grandville, MI, are accepting new patients! To request an appointment, call the Grandville Dental Health Center at (616) 739-6001.