Bridges
At Tavormina Dentistry our extensively trained dental team provides exceptional dental care with a gentle, personal touch to create an environment in which our patients can feel completely at ease. We understand that tooth loss happens and we offer the full gamut of dental bridge services.
At Tavormina Dentistry people from Millburn, Short Hills, Springfield, Summit, Maplewood and West Orange enjoy one of the most effective and time-tested methods of replacing missing teeth-fixed dental bridges. Dental bridges are remarkably strong, stable and natural looking. Dr. Vincent Tavormina will customize your bridge to ensure that it fits flawlessly into your smile while restoring full functionality to your mouth.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is an appliance used to replace a missing tooth or several missing teeth. It is typically comprised of an artificial tooth called a pontic, attached to a dental crown on either side. These crowns are affixed to the natural teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap. Dental bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges) or they can be removable. Fixed bridges offer more stability and longevity than their removable counterparts. Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. At Tavormina Dentistry we pride ourselves on using only precious metal and/or porcelain. Only the finest materials are suitable for our patients.
Dental bridges provide outstanding long-term replacements for missing teeth. Dental bridges help to ensure that the adjacent teeth don’t shift out of their optimal position. The integrity of your bite will be restored, and you will be able to chew and speak with renewed ease. A dental bridge helps support your lips and cheeks so it prevents your face from sinking in and looking older. Because dental bridges are fixed in the mouth, they will not slip out of place or fall out. Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can be minimized with a dental bridge.
The dental bridge procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Tavormina will get you numb before he gets you numb and then prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the outside of the abutment teeth. Impressions of the prepared teeth are taken and sent to our lab where the bridge will be constructed. A temporary bridge is made and cemented with a soft cement so that it’s easy to remove at your next appointment. At the second appointment you will get numb and the bridge will be placed in your mouth to check for proper fit, bite, and appearance. Once it meets our standards of excellence, the bridge will be cemented in place and function like your own teeth.
If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth, we urge you to learn more about the dental bridges available at our Millburn, New Jersey practice and how they can improve the quality of your life.