Middle aged woman with a healthy smile laughing

Dental Bridges

Restoring Missing Teeth in Charlotte, NC

Are you missing teeth? Do you find it uncomfortable, embarrassing or feel that it impacts your daily life? It is more important than you might think to fill the gaps in your smile. In addition to impacting the appearance of your smile, missing teeth can be detrimental to your overall dental health. At Stewart Dental Group, we treat patients with dental bridges—removable or implanted appliances that quite literally bridge the gap in your smile to restore missing teeth.

The Problem With Missing Teeth

Gaps caused by missing teeth are more than just a source of insecurity. They can lead to various complications to your oral health, including:

  • Shifting of the existing teeth

  • Bite misalignment

  • Sagging in the face

  • Problems speaking and chewing

  • Increased likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges restore the functionality and appearance of your smile. Though there are different types, these devices:

  • Prevent your smile from shifting

  • Aid your bite

  • Restore your ability to speak and chew food

  • Improve your confidence

Types of Dental Bridges

These appliances are made up of false teeth and crowns that fit onto the existing teeth. At Stewart Dental Group, we offer two types of dental bridges. There are advantages to both kinds, and our dentists work closely with patients to determine which appliance is best suited to your smile.

Removable

This metal appliance is worn during the day, including while eating, and only removed at night. It is a more affordable option than an implant and requires daily cleaning.

This kind of restoration is surgically implanted in the jaw bone, offering a permanent solution to restoring missing teeth. This kind of implant is long-lasting, natural-looking and even helps reduce bone loss over time.

Preparing For Dental Bridge Treatment

Though the exact procedure varies depending on the location and extent of your tooth loss and the type of dental bridge you will receive, all treatment begins with a consultation. Our dentists will examine your teeth, jaw and gums and discuss your health history to determine a treatment plan for restoring your smile—we want your device to fit your smile and your goals perfectly.

Dental Bridge Treatment At Stewart Dental

First, our dentists will take impressions of your smile and prep the teeth that will receive crowns. Fixed bridge patients will receive surgically-placed, screw-like implants in the jawbone that act as a foundation for the bridge. Most patients receive a temporary appliance until the custom device arrives. One of our doctors will then place the new bridge and make adjustments as necessary.

Patients receiving implants wear the temporary bridge for a few months while the bone heals. Once healed, placing the fixed bridge should be painless. Your new bridge may feel strange at first, but after a few weeks your restoration should ultimately feel comfortable and function just like your existing teeth.

If you have questions about the procedure, or think a dental bridge might be a good solution for you, call our office at (704) 376-2404 or request an appointment online to get started!

Dental bridges

Dental Bridges FAQs

The procedure is typically not painful as it is performed under local anesthesia. You may experience some discomfort or sensitivity afterward, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

The lifespan of a dental bridge can vary depending on factors such as your diet, oral hygiene and materials used. On average, they can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years or longer with proper care.

Removable bridges are made of metal while fixed, implant-secured bridges are typically made of porcelain, or a combination of metal alloy and porcelain in order to look as natural as possible.

In order to maintain your bridge, proper oral hygiene is essential. Brushing and flossing around the bridge and under the pontic is important to prevent decay and gum disease. Regular dental check-ups are also crucial to monitor the bridge’s condition.

Yes, one of the benefits of this dental restoration is that it restores your ability to eat comfortably and chew properly. However, we recommend avoiding excessively hard or sticky foods that could cause damage.