When You Might Need to Get a Dental Bridge 

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Are missing teeth making you avoid having photos taken or giving you chewing trouble? Getting a dental bridge offers an effective way to close that gap and replace lost teeth. At Smile Now STL, our dentist in St. Louis, MO, offers this restoration treatment for patients who need it.

What Are Bridges Used For?

We use dental bridges to replace missing teeth. Traditional types include an artificial tooth with a crown on the adjacent teeth to hold the bridge firmly in place. Other types only have a crown on one side or use wings that attach to the backs of teeth rather than crowns.

What Benefits Does a Dental Bridge Offer?

Our dental bridges in St. Louis, MO, provide some great benefits that boost your quality of life, including being able to chew with no discomfort and having a beautiful smile! Bridges also help prevent teeth from shifting toward gaps.

Dental Bridge vs. Dental Implant

We may recommend a bridge instead of an implant for a few reasons. A dental bridge is usually more affordable than implants. You also need to have enough jawbone for supporting implant posts. If you don’t, our dentist may suggest getting a bridge instead.

What to Expect If You Need a Dental Bridge

The steps you go through for this treatment depend on the type of bridge you’re getting. But in many cases, you’ll have a temporary bridge in place until your permanent, custom-made one is ready.

Set Up an Appointment for A Dental Bridge Today!

Do you need a bridge to replace a missing tooth? Our dentist at Smile Now STL offers different types of dental bridges in St. Louis, MO, depending on how many teeth are missing and where these gaps are located. We can provide the right bridge to improve your smile!

 Partial Dentures vs. Fixed Bridges: How to Choose the Right Dental Restoration

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You’ve got multiple missing teeth and want to have them replaced. Two common options to explore include partial dentures and fixed bridges. Our dentist in St. Louis, MO, at Smile Now STL offers both types — but which is right for you? Let’s compare these restoration solutions to see which may be more suitable for you!

What Are Fixed Bridges?

These dental bridges include an artificial tooth and crowns or caps placed on neighboring teeth as an anchor. You can get a bridge for just one missing tooth or multiple that are in a row.

What Are Partial Dentures?

These are dentures made to replace a couple or more missing teeth. Unlike full dentures, they don’t completely replace all of your teeth.

Factors to Consider

Cost

Partial dentures usually cost less than dental bridges. But costs can vary based on insurance, denture or bridge type you get, and other factors.

Permanent Restoration vs. Removable Restoration

Do you prefer being able to take out your restoration? Or would you rather have it be a permanent fixture in your mouth? You can remove partial dentures, but fixed bridges stay in place.

Durability

How long does each last? Bridges may not last as long as partial dentures, especially if they’re not taken care of.

Comfort and Convenience

You might find dentures or bridges more comfortable, depending on your personal preference. You’ll need to remove and clean dentures regularly or brush and floss to keep a bridge clean.

Schedule an Appointment for Dental Restoration Today!

Looking for the best option for tooth replacement? Our dental team can help you decide which is best! At Smile Now STL, we offer partial dentures and fixed bridges in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Tom can determine which solution works best for your situation.

How Does a Dental Bridge Work?

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Our teeth and gums are vital to our health. That said, if you lose a tooth from decay or injury, it’s important to find a replacement solution as soon as possible. While there are various options on the market today, you can’t go wrong with a dental bridge.

Keep reading to learn more about dental bridges, including how they work.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth. It’s common to get a bridge after losing a tooth from injury or decay. Unlike dental implants, bridges don’t involve surgery. As the name implies, a dental bridge creates a “bridge” over the missing space in your mouth. These devices are usually supported by dental crowns, which are placed on the neighboring teeth of the empty space.

Want to get started with a dental bridge in St. Louis, MO? Smile Now STL has you covered! Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist.

Types of Dental Bridges & How They Work

A standard dental bridge may not work for everyone. That said, patients can choose from a variety of options.

Take a look at the different types of dental bridges below:

Traditional Bridge

As we discussed, these bridges work with artificial teeth supported by dental crowns on both sides of the missing space.

Cantilever Dental Bridge

These work much like a standard bridge, but the appliance is supported by one crown instead of two.

Maryland Dental Bridge

This device uses metal wings for support rather than dental crowns. The wings are bonded to the backside of neighboring teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

These bridges work very similarly to the traditional type, but dental implants are used for support instead of natural teeth. The device is connected to dental implants on either side of the missing space.

If you’re ready to try a dental bridge for yourself, call Smile Now STL today! We’re proud to have the leading dentist in St. Louis, MO!

Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridge

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While losing teeth when we’re kids is common, this can also happen into adulthood. However, it’s less of a normal occurrence and more of a reason for concern. If you lose a permanent tooth, this is usually caused by an injury or decay. When this issue happens, finding a high-quality tooth replacement is essential. A few common options include dental implants and a dental bridge.

In this post, we’ll discuss some key differences between these two restorative dentistry solutions.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants can take your appearance and oral health to new heights. These incredible devices take the place of missing teeth. Dental implants feature a metal post, an abutment, and a dental crown. After the post is surgically placed into your jawbone, the abutment and crown are placed on top. This implant-to-bone fusion is what makes the device incredibly strong and durable. Some people have their implants for over 30 years!

Want to get started with dental implants in St. Louis, MO? Contact Smile Now STL to learn more!

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is also a popular tooth replacement solution, but it’s less durable than dental implants. However, a bridge is still effective. These devices consist of an artificial tooth connected to dental crowns on either side of the missing space, making a “bridge.” In order to place the oral appliance, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth on either side of the missing tooth.

Which Option Is Best?

While most patients prefer dental implants, they’re more costly. However, they’re also more durable, so the extra money may be worth it. We recommend talking with your dentist to find the right option for your needs and budget.

If you’re ready to boost your dental health, call Smile Now STL to work with the leading dentist in St. Louis, MO!

Benefits of Dental Bridges to Restore Your Smile

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Missing teeth can create problems of many kinds. A missing tooth can impact how you talk, chew food, smile, and interact with people. While there are different ways to address a problem, like a missing tooth, many people turn to dental bridges. Your dentist in St. Louis, MO, can discuss the many benefits of dental bridges to help you decide if this is the right type of prosthetic tooth for your mouth.

What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth held in place with dental crowns attached to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. This is where a dental bridge gets its name: it bridges the gap between two existing teeth.

Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges have many benefits.

Make your smile whole again. Some people feel self-conscious when they see a gap in their smile. A dental bridge can fill that gap.
Prevent other teeth from shifting. Your teeth are held in place by the presence of other teeth in the mouth. When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth may shift slightly, causing problems with how your jaw fits together when closed.
Restore the ability to talk and chew properly. Your teeth play a critical role in talking and chewing. When you’re missing a tooth, you may develop a lisp or have difficulty chewing food. The dental bridge makes these everyday tasks easier.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Bridges?
You may be a good candidate for a dental bridge in St. Louis, MO if you have two healthy teeth on either side of a gap. If you want a dental bridge, call Smile Now STL to make an appointment.