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Bridges

Brite Smiles Dental Care

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Apple Valley, MN

More than leaving unsightly holes in your smile, missing teeth can actually affect your entire facial appearance and overall oral health. At Brite Smiles Dental Care in Apple Valley, Minnesota, Dennis Simmons, DDS, and his associates, provide their patients with high-quality, state-of-the-art bridges to fill in the holes in their smiles and restore their oral health. To learn more about what a bridge can do for you, schedule a visit today by calling the office or booking online.

Bridges Q & A

What is a bridge?

A bridge is a classic solution for tooth replacement. It’s an oral prosthetic composed of an artificial tooth, called a “pontic,” that’s attached to a crown on either side. 

The crowns are affixed to the natural teeth next to your missing tooth, effectively “bridging” the space between teeth. If your surrounding teeth can’t support crowns, alternative options might work. 

Why do I need to replace missing teeth?

A missing tooth leaves an empty space in your smile, and your remaining natural teeth can begin to drift into the opening. 

This shifting in your teeth can throw off your bite, leading to excessive wear and tear on your remaining teeth and putting you at a higher risk for developing TMJ disorder, a painful condition that affects your jaw. 

What are the benefits of a bridge?

By replacing your missing tooth, bridges:

  • Make your smile whole again
  • Prevent your remaining teeth from falling out of alignment
  • Properly distribute the force in your bite
  • Maintain the shape of your face

Bridges also make it easier for you to properly eat and speak and maintain good oral health for a lifetime.

How do I get a bridge?

We prepare the teeth and make an impression to have the dental laboratory construct a bridge to seamlessly fit into your smile. Your dentist fits you with a temporary bridge to wear while you wait for your permanent restoration to come back from the lab.

You come back for a second appointment when your permanent bridge is ready. Your dentist switches out the temporary bridge for the permanent one, checks that the fit and bite are comfortable, and seals it in place with dental cement. 

You leave the office able to chew, speak, and smile as if your missing tooth had just grown back! Call Brite Smiles Dental Care or book an appointment online and get your dental bridge today.