Washington DC Dental Bridges

Tooth Bridge in Washington DC

While there are several options available to replace missing teeth such as dental implants and dentures, the most common one today is a dental bridge. Not every patient has the same treatment requirements, therefore the different types of dental bridges are designed to meet the unique needs of each patient. We work closely with all our patients to ensure they understand the purpose of dental bridges and how they can improve a smile.

What is a Dental Bridge?

When teeth are lost, they leave a gap that can impact the function of both eating and speech. A dental bridge can remedy these issues as it fills the gaps between the remaining teeth to ensure the patient is better able to eat properly and speak clearly.

When is a Dental Bridge Necessary?

A dental bridge serves several functions. First, when teeth are missing, the shape of your face can change. Cheeks may appear sunken, and many patients report feeling self-conscious when they have missing teeth. A dental bridge can improve the esthetics of a smile, allowing a patient with missing teeth to smile with confidence once again.

It can also be far more difficult to eat without a full set of functioning teeth. Chewing certain foods becomes difficult and can impact the quality of life that enjoying a meal often brings. When diet is impacted, overall health will almost certainly become compromised over time.

When teeth are missing, chewing food also puts unnatural stresses on the other tissues in the mouth. Gums and soft tissues are not designed to assist with the task of chewing foods, which means additional oral health complications are possible when missing teeth are not replaced.

Quality of speech can also deteriorate when certain teeth are lost. Teeth play an important role in the ability to enunciate certain words and phrases properly. Speech issues directly affect your ability to communicate both in work and social settings, suggesting replacing missing teeth is important for psychological reasons as well as purely physical ones.

Dental bridges work well to resolve any of these issues. Discussing the dental bridge options with our team is strongly recommended when any teeth are lost. Every patient is unique, and our staff is equipped to develop a personalized strategy to address your individual situation.

Which Dental Bridge Options are Available?

The two basic types of bridges are fixed bridges and removable bridges:

• Fixed bridges are attached permanently to the remaining teeth. The replacement tooth or teeth are cemented to the remaining adjacent teeth, creating an effective solution that does not need to be removed for cleaning or while sleeping.
• Removable bridges, or dentures, are often selected as a solution, especially when several or all teeth are missing. Removable bridges are an excellent option for many patients.

What Types of Care Do Dental Bridges Require?

Fixed bridges are cared for in much the same way as your natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are required to protect not only the replacement teeth but the abutment teeth as well. Fixed bridges are expected to last for many years, but that life expectancy will be significantly reduced if proper care is not provided. There are also specific procedures for taking care of removable bridges, and our team is available to discuss the best options for all your oral health care needs. 

If you have any questions about dental bridges or other dental services, please call us at 202-363-2500 or fill out our contact form today.