Dental Bridges Moodus, CT

If one or a few of your teeth have fallen out, it is not just a problem with appearance — gaps in your teeth may cause your remaining teeth to shift. This may lead to extra tension when you bite, pain when you chew, or even trouble speaking. A bridge improves the health and appearance of your smile by filling in gaps using a false tooth that is supported by either dental implants, your natural teeth, or both. At East Haddam Dental Associates in Moodus, CT, our skilled team of dentists offers custom-made bridges with high-quality materials to help give you back your smile. If you have missing teeth, schedule an appointment with us to learn about your treatment options with a custom bridge.

Missing teeth are not just an appearance problem — spaces in your smile may heavily impact the health of your mouth. Your mouth is balanced carefully and a gap may affect how well you can use it. In time, gaps may lead to the shifting of teeth, causing problems with your bite (underbite, crossbite, overbite) and gum or jawbone atrophy. To place a bridge, the surrounding teeth must be healthy enough to hold the restoration, with good density in the jawbone and healthy gum tissue. We will examine your teeth, gums, and jaw at your consultation to help you select the best type of bridge (cantilever, traditional, resin bonded, or Maryland bonded) and material (ceramic, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and metal).

Once your supporting teeth are prepped, we will take digital images and dental impressions so your bridge can be created. A temporary bridge may be used while your custom one is crafted. As soon as your restoration is ready, your mouth may be prepped with a numbing agent. Stronger sedation methods can be discussed for anxiety or trouble with a gag reflex to help keep you calm during the placement. Your dental bridge can be glued into its position or connected to implants, based on the method you selected at your consult. We will adjust the position of your bridge so it is comfortable and stable.

Once your bridge is in place, you should have a noticeable improvement in the function and appearance of your teeth. You may schedule a follow-up appointment at East Haddam Dental Associates to improve your bridge's fit if it seems loose or uncomfortable after it is placed. Our dental team will teach you how to maintain your restoration, including the ways to keep it clean and if you need to avoid any foods. It's important to regularly clean your bridge and mouth because decay can develop under the bridge. If you properly care for it, your custom bridge may stay in place for several years. You need to continue to attend appointments at East Haddam Dental Associates to get an annual dental examination and bi-annual cleanings. At your dental exam, we can evaluate the wear and health of your custom bridge to decide if it should be be replaced or repaired.

Restorations like dental bridges are usually covered, partially, by most dental insurance companies. A member of our team will contact your dental insurance to determine how much your insurance will pay. East Haddam Dental Associates offers several payment methods, including financing options, that may be talked about at your consult. We can also help you choose the best type and material for your bridge to suit your budget and needs.

Even if you don't mind the way your smile looks with a gap, it may turn into bigger issues if it isn't fixed. Make an appointment with us to get more information about dental bridges and what options will fit your unique needs. East Haddam Dental Associates is pleased to offer custom dental bridges that can improve the health and appearance of your teeth. Contact our front office in Moodus, CT to make your consultation.