Dental Bridges – Jonesboro, AR
Seamlessly Close the Gaps in Your Smile
Do you suffer from tooth loss? You’re certainly not alone. According to the American Academy of Prosthodontists, about 140 million people are missing at least one tooth. If you’re a part of that statistic, you know from experience how much it can affect your quality of life. Luckily, you don’t have to live that way forever! Dr. Shane Smith offers high-quality dental bridges in Jonesboro to seamlessly replace one or more consecutive gaps in your smile. Not only will they help you regain complete function of your full set of teeth, but they’ll improve your appearance as well. To learn more about this tooth-replacement solution, continue reading or schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith today!
Why Choose Dr. Shane Smith, DDS for Dental Bridges?
- High-Quality, Strong Restorations
- Natural-Looking Artificial Teeth
- Insurance-Friendly Dental Practice
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic made out of one or more dental crowns affixed to each other. The crowns are anchored to your existing teeth on either side of the gap to fill in the space. Dental bridges are typically crafted from high-quality and natural-looking materials, such as ceramic and porcelain. Since they’re color-matched to your enamel, the restoration will blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth, creating a smile that looks just like your old one!
Types of Dental Bridges
The first step on your journey towards a complete smile is a consultation with Dr. Smith. He’ll conduct an oral examination, ask about your goals, and review your medical history. Based on his findings, he’ll recommend one of the following treatment options:
Traditional Bridge
A traditional dental bridge in Jonesboro is used to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. Since it’s anchored to your mouth with crowns, the process will require the alteration of your natural, healthy teeth to replace the missing ones.
Implant Bridge
Unlike traditional ones, implant bridges are secured to your mouth using two dental implants instead of crowns. They’re placed on either side of the gap in your smile. Once the titanium posts have successfully fused with the jawbone, we’ll attach the dental bridge to the implants. What’s more, this option requires no alteration of your existing teeth!
The Benefits of Dental Bridges
When you replace your missing teeth with dental bridges in Jonesboro, you can expect to enjoy a range of benefits, including:
- Maintained alignment of your existing teeth
- Improved oral health
- Easier cleaning and lower maintenance
- Jawbone preservation with implant bridges
- Long-lasting results (15 years with traditional bridges and over 35 with implant-retained)
- Natural-looking smile
If you’re ready to rebuild your smile with dental bridges in Jonesboro, call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith today!
Dental Bridge FAQs
Do you have questions about what it’s like to get a dental bridge in Jonesboro? Our friendly team is always here to help you get the answers you need to make the best decisions for your smile. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions we receive from patients about this service along with our answers. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to give us a call .
Can you take a dental bridge out?
Dental bridges aren’t removable. The design is made to be able to last for years without being replaced or removed, unless by a dental professional. Some providers refer to partial dentures as “removable bridges,” despite the prosthetic not actually being a bridge.
What are dental bridges made of?
Dental bridges can be crafted from a variety of materials based on your desires. At our practice, we use natural-looking ones that blend in alongside your existing teeth, so no onlookers will be able to tell you have replacement ones. Typically, patients choose to have theirs crafted from durable and stain-resistant porcelain or lifelike ceramic. At your initial consultation, Dr. Smith will discuss all of your options with you so you can choose the one that best fits your aesthetic.
Is getting a dental bridge painful?
Getting a dental bridge isn’t painful because your dentist in Jonesboro will ensure your mouth is numb before any preparation begins. Before your treatment, Dr. Smith will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area of your mouth he’ll be working on. After the preparation of your abutment teeth is complete, we will secure the bridge to restore your smile. In the following days after your procedure, you may experience some soreness and general discomfort, but this should subside with time. In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication suggested by our team. Never hesitate to call our office if your pain worsens.
How long do dental bridges last?
With the proper care, dental bridges can last between five and 15 years. Some factors that can affect this include your oral health and what materials your prosthetic is crafted from. To extend the lifespan of your bridge, here are a couple suggestions our team recommends:
- Brush twice each day using fluoridated toothpaste
- Floss at least once a day
- Rinse with non-alcohol mouthwash
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Break bad oral habits like smoking, nail-biting, and grinding your teeth
- Visit our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning
Is a Partial Denture the Same as a Bridge?
No, partial dentures and dental bridges are not the same, although they both replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is a fixed appliance anchored to natural teeth or implants, offering a permanent solution for one or more missing teeth in a row.
A partial denture, on the other hand, is removable and typically uses clasps to stay in place. Both options can restore your smile’s function and aesthetics, but they work in very different ways. At our Jonesboro dental practice, we’ll help you choose the right option based on your oral health, lifestyle, and preferences.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Dental bridges can replace anywhere from one to four consecutive missing teeth, depending on your specific case. The most common bridges replace one or two teeth, but longer spans are possible if the surrounding teeth or implants are strong enough to support the bridge. However, for each tooth replaced, the stability of the prosthetic diminishes slightly.
Before our team places your dental bridge in Jonesboro, we’ll evaluate your smile, jaw health, and remaining teeth to figure out the safest and most effective solution. If a bridge isn’t the best fit, we may recommend other options like implants or partial dentures. Rest assured, your new smile will be both functional and natural-looking.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
Unfortunately, dental bridges cannot be whitened with traditional teeth whitening products. That’s because bridges are made from materials like porcelain or ceramic, which don’t respond to whitening agents like natural enamel does.
If your bridge no longer matches your surrounding teeth, Dr. Smith may recommend professional cleaning, polishing, or replacing the bridge altogether. The solution all depends on your preferences.
To keep your smile bright, consider whitening your natural teeth before getting a bridge so the restoration is color-matched from the start. Regular dental visits will also help keep your bridge looking its best.