Dental Bridges in Orlando, FL

When one or several of your teeth are missing, it presents more than just a cosmetic problem — missing teeth can cause other teeth to move out of position. Tooth loss can also result in unnecessary tension in your bite, the inability to bite or chew properly, or even difficulty speaking. A dental bridge restores the appearance and health of your mouth by filling spaces left by missing teeth. Bridges are dental appliances consisting of two or more dental crowns fused together that are supported by either neighboring teeth or a set of dental implants. At Orlando Advanced Dentists in Orlando, FL, cosmetic dentist Dr. Patricia Roach offers customized bridges with top-quality materials that will help to restore your beautiful grin. If you have one or more teeth missing from your smile, please schedule a consultative appointment with Dr. Roach to get more information about your tooth replacement options with a dental bridge.

People with missing teeth do not merely have an aesthetic issue — gaps between the teeth can have a powerful impact on overall oral health. The fact is, your mouth is carefully balanced when teeth are present and missing teeth can affect its function. With time, a missing tooth can lead to other teeth shifting into the open space, creating bite problems and other oral issues. Bridge restorations replace missing teeth and bring harmony back to your smile. A traditional dental bridge requires the surrounding teeth to be strong enough to support the restoration while an implant-retained bridge needs sufficient jawbone density for stability and proper function.

Dr. Roach will assess your teeth and jaw during your exam and consultation to help you choose the best type of bridge solution. Bridges can be made from high-grade ceramic, noble metal, and porcelain fused to metal materials. As a skilled dentist, Dr. Roach has extensive experience in placing all types of dental bridges, including traditional, cantilever, Maryland bonded, resin bonded, and implant-retained. 

During your treatment consultation, our team will take digital x-rays of your teeth so that Dr. Roach can make sure the teeth adjacent to your missing tooth or underlying bone are healthy enough to support your traditional or implant bridge. When placing a traditional bridge, she will prepare the supporting teeth by removing some of the enamel. This will allow the ends of the bridge (abutments) to fit comfortably over these teeth while the center portion (pontic tooth) fills the gap left by tooth loss. If dental implants are being used to support the bridge, a separate procedure and healing time will be completed before creating the bridge to replace missing teeth.

Once the teeth are prepared or the implants are healed and ready, impressions of the area will be taken for our lab to use when creating your permanent bridge. If needed, a temporary bridge or restoration can be placed while your custom restoration is being made. When your final dental bridge is ready, it will either be cemented in place to adjacent teeth or attached to dental implants, depending on the support you and Dr. Roach decided on during your consultation. Dr. Roach will carefully adjust the fit of the bridge so it feels right in your mouth and remains securely in place.

After your bridge is in place, you should notice an improvement in your oral function and appearance. Please contact our office if your new bridge feels loose at any time so that we can get you in to reattach it as quickly as possible. Dr. Roach or a member of our team will show you how to maintain your dental bridge, including the best way to clean under and around it and what foods to avoid. It is crucial to frequently clean your bridge and mouth since cavities can still develop underneath the restoration. With proper care, your dental bridge can last for many years. Scheduling appointments at Orlando Advanced Dentists for your annual dental exams and biannual dental cleanings are important for keeping your bridge and the rest of your mouth healthy. During your examinations, Dr. Roach will assess the health and fit of your dental bridge to determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced over time.

Even if you do not mind how you look with a gap from a missing tooth, it can lead to oral concerns, greater treatment needs, and costlier care down the road. Schedule a consultation with cosmetic dentist Dr. Roach to learn more about traditional and implant-retained bridge restorations and the options that match your specific needs. Orlando Advanced Dentists is proud to offer high-quality dental restorations that can help improve the appearance and health of your smile. Contact our experienced team in Orlando, FL today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward overcoming tooth loss.