Restore Your Bite with a Dental Bridge
Missing teeth can lead to future oral health issues and make chewing and speaking very difficult. If you are looking to replace one or more missing teeth, Dr. Timothy Pfister and the dental team at Aesthetic Oral Arts in New Hartford, NY, can fit you with a high-quality dental bridge. Dr. Pfister has over 35 years of dental experience. He can talk to you in depth about your new dental bridge and its many benefits, such as restoring bite balance and chewing function. Our office uses advanced CEREC® technology to create same-day dental bridges.
The Benefits of a Dental Bridge
There are important oral health benefits that can be enjoyed following the placement of your new dental bridge. Gaps between teeth promote shifting, which can cause cosmetic issues as well as poor tooth alignment. When teeth fall out of alignment (malocclusion) jaw or tooth pain can arise. A dental bridge can prevent these problems by ensuring that your teeth retain their natural position. A bridge can also significantly enhance the appearance of your smile. The absence of teeth can lead to sunken cheeks, which can sometimes make individuals appear older.
Our New Hartford dental practice offers advanced CEREC® technology, which allows Dr. Pfister to control how your final restoration will look.
Our New Hartford office offers advanced CEREC technology, which allows Dr. Pfister to control how your final restoration will look. The materials used to manufacture your teeth will match the color and luster of natural teeth, meaning few people will be able to tell that you have a prosthetic. Implant-retained bridges offer further oral health benefits. Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the jaw to replace tooth roots. The posts stimulate jawbone growth and help prevent jawbone atrophy.
Am I a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
Patients who are missing one or several consecutive teeth are often good candidates for a dental bridge. If you are missing a significant number of teeth, you may be a better candidate for a partial denture. Patients who are missing an entire arch will require a full denture while individual teeth can be supported through a dental implant and dental crown.
Dental bridge options include:
- Traditional bridge
- Cantilever bridge
- Maryland bridge
- Implant-retained bridge
Patients should be in good oral health before receiving a dental bridge. Patients who wish to receive an implant-retained bridge will need to have adequate jawbone density. If you have suffered from bone loss, our office offers bone grafting to help patients gain candidacy for dental implants.
An Overview of the Procedure
A traditional bridge requires the placement of two dental crowns , one on each side of the prosthetic. During your appointment, Dr. Pfister will prepare your teeth to receive the crowns. This preparatory procedure requires the removal of natural tooth structure. Once your teeth are prepared, a 3D image will be taken that will be used to fabricate your bridge. When your bridge is ready, Dr. Pfister will ensure that it is a perfect fit before attaching the crowns using a strong bonding agent. Implant-retained bridges require oral surgery to place multiple dental implants. The average healing time following implant surgery is three to six months. Once your implants have fully healed, you will be fitted with a custom dental bridge.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
A dental bridge can help enhance your smile as well as your confidence. To schedule your restorative consultation, contact our office online or call (315) 235-3762. Aesthetic Oral Arts accepts CareCredit® financing to help patients afford the dental services and treatments they need and desire.
