When missing teeth create gaps in your smile and compromise your ability to chew, speak, and feel confident about your appearance, dental bridges provide the proven, permanent solution you need to restore both function and aesthetics to your mouth. These custom-crafted restorations literally bridge the gap left by one or more missing teeth, using the strength of adjacent teeth to support a natural-looking replacement tooth or teeth.
Our dental implants practice offers comprehensive tooth replacement solutions, including traditional and implant-supported dental bridges, to patients throughout Hackensack, Teaneck, Maywood, and surrounding northern New Jersey communities. With advanced materials and precise craftsmanship, dental bridges restore your smile’s integrity while preventing the shifting and complications often associated with untreated tooth loss.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth, called pontics, supported by crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap or by dental implant bodies anchored in the jawbone. Traditional bridges rely on natural teeth for support, while implant-supported bridges use strategically placed implant bodies to eliminate the need to modify healthy adjacent teeth.
The bridge restoration creates a continuous, natural-looking tooth surface that restores proper chewing function and maintains the structural integrity of your dental arch. Modern bridge materials, including high-strength ceramics and porcelain-fused-to-metal options, provide exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal while blending seamlessly with your existing teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
We offer many different types of dental bridges, including the following:
Traditional Fixed Bridges
Traditional bridges anchor to the natural teeth on either side of the gap, which are prepared with dental crowns to support the pontic teeth. This time-tested approach provides excellent stability and function for most patients with healthy adjacent teeth, though it requires modifying the supporting teeth to accommodate the crowns.
These bridges work best when the teeth adjacent to the gap are strong and healthy enough to support the additional load of the missing tooth or teeth. The crown preparation process removes a small amount of enamel from the supporting teeth to ensure proper fit and long-term stability of the bridge restoration.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges use titanium implant bodies placed directly into the jawbone as anchors, eliminating the need to modify healthy adjacent teeth. This approach preserves the natural tooth structure while providing superior stability and preventing the bone loss associated with missing tooth roots.
This option proves particularly beneficial when replacing multiple consecutive missing teeth or when the adjacent teeth are healthy and should remain untouched. The implant bodies function as artificial tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and maintaining facial structure over time.
The Dental Bridge Process
Your bridge treatment begins with a comprehensive examination using 3D imaging to evaluate the condition of your remaining teeth, jawbone, and surrounding oral structures. We discuss your treatment options, lifestyle needs, and aesthetic goals to determine the most appropriate bridge design for your specific situation.
For traditional bridges, the supporting teeth are carefully prepared to accommodate the crowns while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Precise impressions capture the exact dimensions and relationships needed to fabricate your custom bridge. A temporary bridge protects your teeth and maintains function while your permanent restoration is created in our dental laboratory.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges restore proper chewing function, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods without discomfort or difficulty. The restoration maintains proper speech patterns by filling gaps where air might escape during pronunciation of certain sounds, particularly those requiring tongue-to-tooth contact.
Bridges also prevent the remaining teeth from shifting into the empty spaces, which can lead to bite problems, jaw joint issues, and increased difficulty maintaining oral hygiene. By maintaining proper tooth spacing and alignment, bridges support long-term oral health while restoring your smile’s natural appearance and your confidence in social and professional situations.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
Proper bridge care ensures optimal longevity and maintains your oral health throughout the life of your restoration. Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and specialized flossing techniques, including the use of floss threaders or water flossers, help keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean and healthy.
Regular professional cleanings and examinations allow us to monitor the condition of your bridge and supporting teeth while addressing any concerns before they develop into more serious problems. With proper care and maintenance, high-quality dental bridges may provide many years of reliable service, though individual results vary based on oral hygiene, lifestyle factors, and the overall health of your mouth.
Bridge Alternatives and Considerations
While bridges provide excellent tooth replacement solutions, some patients may benefit from alternative treatments such as removable partial dentures or individual dental implants, depending on their specific needs and circumstances. We evaluate each case individually to recommend the treatment option most likely to provide optimal long-term results.
Factors influencing treatment selection include the number and location of missing teeth, the health of adjacent teeth, jawbone density, overall oral health, and personal preferences regarding removable versus fixed restorations. Our comprehensive evaluation process ensures you receive the most appropriate treatment recommendation for your unique situation.
Choose Roman Dental Arts for Your Dental Bridge
Roman Dental Arts combines advanced restorative dentistry techniques with personalized care to deliver exceptional bridge restorations for patients throughout Hackensack and northern New Jersey. Dr. Donald Roman, our practice founder, and Dr. Alissa Roman bring decades of combined experience to every case, ensuring your bridge treatment addresses your functional needs while achieving the aesthetic results you desire through our compassionate, father-daughter team approach to comprehensive dental care.
Our Hackensack location provides convenient access for patients from Teaneck, Maywood, Lodi, and surrounding communities, with state-of-the-art technology and flexible scheduling designed to accommodate your busy lifestyle. We work with most PPO insurance plans, including our in-network relationships with Delta Dental PPO and Cigna PPO, and offer financing options to make quality bridge treatment accessible for families seeking to restore their smiles’ function and beauty. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and discover how a custom dental bridge can help you regain the complete, confident smile you deserve through proven, reliable tooth replacement solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Bridges
How long do dental bridges last?
Dental bridges typically last between 10 to 15 years or longer with proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups.
Is getting dental bridges painful?
No, getting dental bridges is painless. At Roman Dental Arts, we use local anesthesia and sedation dentistry to ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure.
Are dental bridges suitable for everyone?
Dental bridges are an excellent option for many patients. However, suitability depends on your dental health, the condition of adjacent teeth, and your specific needs. A detailed consultation with our dentists will determine the best option for you.
How do I care for my dental bridge?
Caring for your dental bridge is simple: maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and attending routine dental check-ups.
