Dental Bridges Q&A

Dentists located in St. George and Great Kills, Staten Island, NY

Dental Bridges Q&A

Replacing missing teeth is essential to maintaining your oral health. With two locations in the St. George and Great Kills areas of Staten Island, New York, Anthony Cirillo, DDS, and Vincent Circosta, DDS, can restore your smile with dental bridges. These fixed prosthetic teeth make it easier to chew and speak if you have gaps in your smile. Call Bay Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about dental bridges.

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that replaces missing teeth. Similar to an architectural bridge, a dental bridge includes a pontic (artificial tooth) with abutments on each side for support. The abutments stabilize the center tooth by securing it in place.

Are there different types of dental bridges?

The type of bridge that the Bay Dental team recommends depends on your tooth size and health. The three main types are.

Traditional bridge

A traditional bridge includes two crowns — tooth-shaped caps — with a pontic in the center. The pontic bonds to the surrounding crowns for support and stability. To ensure your bridge gives you the support you need, the crowns fit snugly over the teeth on each side of your missing tooth. Traditional bridges are the most common and durable type.

Cantilever bridges

The team recommends a cantilever bridge when you don’t have two healthy teeth on each side of your missing tooth. Instead of bonding to two crowns, the pontic attaches to one.

Maryland bridges

A Maryland bridge doesn’t require crowns. Instead, the artificial tooth attaches to metal or ceramic wings that seamlessly adhere to the back of your teeth.

What can I expect from dental bridges?

Placing a dental bridge typically takes at least two visits. To prepare for a traditional or cantilever bridge, the Bay Dental team must file, reshape, and reduce the size of your abutment teeth. This step helps to prepare your teeth for dental crowns. Next, the team takes digital impressions to create your custom bridge.

A dental bridge takes two to three weeks to create. In the meantime, the team will fit you for a temporary bridge to protect your teeth.

At your final visit, the Bay Dental team places your dental bridge. They make sure the bridge looks natural and feels comfortable for you before cementing it in place.

How long do dental bridges last?

With proper care, a dental bridge can last for 10 years or more. To extend the lifespan of your bridge:

Brush and floss at least twice a day
Schedule routine teeth cleanings
Avoid chewy, sticky, or overly tough foods
Visit Bay Dental if your bridge cracks or loosens

Call Bay Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about dental bridges.