Restore your smile and replace missing teeth with a variety of dental bridge options
At Pearl Dental Care in Hamden, Connecticut, we combine the relationship-based approach to dentistry that you’d expect from a family-owned practice with all the advanced capabilities that modern dentistry has to offer. This blend adds up to care that is approachable, comfortable, precise, and safe. Father-son dentists Drs Gary and Scott Pearl are pleased to provide treatment options that complement the foundational principles of their practice. These options include both “traditional” fixed dental bridges and bridges retained or supported by dental implants. There is sure to be a tooth replacement option for our patients in and around New Haven County that is well-suited to their respective preferences, needs, goals, budget, schedule, and lifestyle.
The “traditional” bridge
Dental bridges are a time-tested option for tooth replacement. You may be a great candidate for such treatment if you miss a single tooth or some scattered teeth. While there are many different dental bridge designs, generally, candidates for the traditional standard approach need to have at least some remaining healthy teeth. Why? The replacement tooth (or teeth) is held in place by the existing teeth. For these “anchor” teeth to do their job and best support the new tooth, or “pontic,” they must be crowned. The natural teeth must be reduced in size to make room for the crown. From there, the pontic and crowns are fabricated as a single unit or one piece. That way, your dentist can cement the crowns on either side of the pontic to the natural teeth. Once the crowns are secured, the pontic in the middle “bridges” the gap between the teeth. The tooth is effectively replaced.
The implant-retained bridge
At Pearl Dental Care, we also offer bridges supported by dental implants instead of the natural, surrounding, crowned teeth. Dental implants are designed like cylinders and made from medical-grade titanium or zirconia. These materials are biocompatible. So, once placed in the jaw, they naturally join the surrounding bone as part of the process of “osseointegration.” Once the implants have integrated into the bone, they function like tooth roots. They “root” the replacement tooth (or teeth) to the rest of the jaw. This approach presents an attractive alternative to conventional bridges for patients because:
- The design of implant-supported bridges mimics the structure of natural teeth. This structure facilitates the most natural appearance, feel in the mouth, and healthy and lasting strength and function.
- Bridges that are supported by implants are conservative. They preserve maximal natural, healthy tooth structure. Unlike bridges that depend on other teeth for their stability, implant bridges do not require the removal of natural tooth material and the application of crowns. The surrounding teeth remain unaltered and untouched due to the new teeth being held in place by implants that are part of the jaw.
- Implant bridges are also easy to care for, a consideration that supports the long-lasting health of the replacement teeth. They are designed like natural teeth. So, they can be cared for like the teeth that developed with you naturally. Just be sure to brush and floss well around the implant and maintain routine hygiene visits at our practice. Alternatively, traditional bridges require special techniques, floss, and products such as interdental brushes to clean underneath the bridge properly. If this area is not cleaned well and consistently, it can harbor bacteria and plaque that promote tooth decay and gum disease. This process can threaten the health of your new teeth.
At Pearl Dental Care, we look forward to discussing your options to replace missing or irreparably damaged teeth! Call us today at (203) 285-8245 to schedule your appointment at our office in Hamden, serving North Haven, Woodbridge, East Haven, Cheshire, Wallingford, and communities in between.
