Dental Bridge Treatment to Restore Your Smile After Tooth Loss

Our office offers several teeth replacement options to ensure you achieve a complete, beautiful smile. If you have missing teeth, Dr. Bartholomew Kreiner can recommend implants and dentures to replace what you’ve lost. However, if you don’t fancy these options, we offer dental bridges as a conservative yet functional tooth loss solution. Contact D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner D.D.S., in Bel Air, Maryland, to talk to our team about the possibility of a fully functioning smile with dental bridges. 

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is a tooth appliance that comprises one or more prosthetic teeth (pontics). A dental bridge is custom-designed to fit seamlessly into the space without teeth. A traditional bridge is secured firmly by the healthy, adjacent teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap. However, these abutment teeth must be crowned to offer optimal support.

A metal clasp attached to the neighboring teeth can sometimes secure your dental bridge. Known as the Maryland bonded bridge, this bridge type is appropriate for front teeth that aren’t subjected to heavy chewing and grinding. 

The ultimate choice for bridges is implant-supported bridges. These restorations are anchored in the jawbone rather than being supported by the nearby teeth. Implant bridges are incredibly stable, so don’t expect them to wobble, slip, or fall out when using them. 

The dental bridge treatment: what to expect

Placing dental bridges requires at least two dental visits, where much of the magic happens in the first visit. During this initial appointment, the dentist examines your teeth and oral health to ensure you are a suitable candidate for a bridge. If yes, we’ll prepare the abutment teeth by removing a bit of enamel around the teeth to create space for dental crowns. 

Next, we’ll take bite impressions, or more likely, scan you with TRIOS, which serve as a reference point when creating your bridge. While waiting for your restoration, we’ll restore your smile temporarily. During this period, observe caution when using your teeth since the temporaries are generic and don’t offer a secure fit.

When your bridge is ready, we will ask you to come to our office for a fitting. Before placement, we will make the necessary adjustments until your bite looks and feels natural. Once we ensure your bridge fits optimally by making and evaluating x-rays, we’ll cement it using strong adhesives to create a long-lasting restoration. 

Benefits of dental bridges

Tooth loss negatively impacts your smile and life in many ways. Mouth gaps compromise the remaining teeth and your natural speaking and eating ability. Moreover, tooth loss adversely affects your self-image and confidence. 

Dental bridges offer cosmetic and functional benefits for persons with tooth loss, and unlike implants, they can restore your smile without surgery. Dental bridges offer many benefits, including:

• Porcelain bridges look and feel natural
• Maintain facial shape
• Restored oral function
• Renewed confidence
• Restoring your natural speech
• Prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of position
• Distribute forces evenly after tooth loss
• Restore the ability to chew properly

Replacing your missing teeth with a dental bridge is one of the best ways to enhance your confidence, oral health, and quality of life. Considering dental bridges can be transformative, offering life-changing benefits for your smile and life. 

Rebuild your smile with natural-looking bridges

We welcome anyone with tooth loss to our office to explore our teeth replacement options. 

If a dental bridge is the most viable treatment, you can expect the best dental care.
Call us at (410) 983-6775 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kreiner.

Dr. D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner

Dr. D. Bartholomew G. Kreiner, a distinguished dentist since 1989, earned his dental degree from the University of Maryland Dental School, where he also completed an Advanced General Dentistry Residency. His credentials include certificates from the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped and Gamma Pi Delta Prosthodontic Society. Dr. Kreiner has been an active member of the ADA, MSDA, and HCDS, and he is currently with the Academy of Laser Dentistry and an active member with the Greater Chesapeake Study Club and FACES. Known for his engaging and relaxed practice, he blends extensive expertise with a commitment to high standards in dental care.

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