If you are missing teeth, Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White offer several replacement options. Because they offer more treatment options, patients are guaranteed to find a solution that fits their oral health needs, aesthetic goals and budget. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, replacement teeth are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth. Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White often use a dental bridge as an affective and affordable solution for patients missing one to four teeth.
Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is currently welcoming new patients from Durham, NC who are suffering from missing teeth. After an examination, our dentists can help you decide if a dental bridge is the right solution for you.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is a custom dental restoration that is designed to “bridge” the gaps in a smile. Dental bridges can be used to replace one tooth or several consecutive missing teeth. The bridgework is a series of prosthetic teeth fused together with at least two dental crowns on both ends with a replacement tooth (the pontic) in between them. The two teeth located on both sides of the gap are used as anchor teeth to support the bridge. This type of dental restoration can either be removable or fixed.
Implant-supported Dental Bridge
Another option for our patients who are missing multiple consecutive teeth is to replace them with an implant supported dental bridge. With this type of dental restoration, two or more dental implants are surgically placed in the jaw bone. The implants are placed on both sides of the gap. The dental crowns located on both ends of the bridgework are then fixed to the dental implants instead of prepared anchor teeth.
Benefits of an Implant-Supported Bridge
Implant supported dental bridges are better for your oral health. They have a 35% higher success rate compared to traditional bridgework. Dental implants promote continued bone growth which prevents bone degradation and gum recession both of which are often associated with traditional bridges. There are also less food restrictions allowing for the patients to eat variety of healthy foods.
An implant supported bridge does not require healthy teeth to prepared and reduced. This means healthy teeth are left untouched and undamaged. This will also ensure that the anchor teeth will not endure the pressure of holding the bridge in place.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
The dental bridge process will include several steps and appointments beginning with your initial examination to determine if a bridge is the correct treatment for you. Your next appointment will involve preparing the two anchor teeth. Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White will begin by reducing them to accommodate the crowns. Impressions will be taken which are used to fabricate your custom bridge. You may get a temporary bridge to wear in the intermediate time period. At the next appointment, your dentist will bond the two crowns to the prepared teeth.
If you choose to get dental implants, a treatment plan for placing them will be coordinated with the fabrication and placement of the bridge. This will involve a surgical implantation of the implant posts and the placement of a temporary bridge. After a 3 to 6 month healing period, you will return to our Durham area dentist office for the permanent placement of your custom dental bridge.