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At the office of Newpoint Family Dental in Unionville, CT, we help patients rebuild confident, healthy smiles after tooth loss. Missing teeth affect more than appearance — they change how your bite functions, how you chew and speak, and they can set off a cascade of changes in neighboring teeth and jawbone. Our goal is to present clear, practical information about dental bridges so you can make an informed decision about restoring your smile.
Losing a tooth creates more than a visible gap. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth can gradually shift into the open space, altering the overall alignment of your bite. These small changes in position may seem minor at first, but over time they can lead to uneven wear, bite discomfort, and difficulty cleaning those teeth properly.
When teeth no longer meet their natural counterparts in the opposing jaw, they may drift or extrude, which can further disturb your bite and make chewing less efficient. This altered function places unusual stress on other teeth and the jaw joints, sometimes leading to soreness or chronic sensitivity.
Another important consequence is the reduction of stimulation to the jawbone in the area of the missing tooth. Without the normal pressure of biting and chewing, the bone can gradually resorb, which affects facial contours and can complicate future restorative options. Replacing missing teeth early helps preserve both function and long-term oral health.
Restoration options are chosen with an eye toward durability, aesthetics, and how well they preserve the health of the remaining teeth and jawbone. A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that spans an empty space and restores chewing function and appearance without the need for a removable appliance. Bridges are one of several reliable approaches to replacing missing teeth.
Other options include removable partial dentures and dental implants. Each approach has advantages depending on the number of teeth involved, the condition of surrounding teeth, and your personal goals for comfort and longevity. During a consultation, we review these choices and how they fit with your lifestyle and oral health priorities.
Ultimately, the best solution balances look, feel, and long-term health. A well-planned restoration can protect adjacent teeth from shifting, help maintain normal chewing forces, and improve confidence when speaking or smiling.
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to healthy neighboring teeth or implants. The artificial tooth — called a pontic — fills the gap while the supporting crowns or implants provide stability. Because bridges are fixed in place, they function much like natural teeth and don’t need to be removed for cleaning.
Bridges restore the continuity of the dental arch, helping distribute chewing forces more evenly and preventing the neighboring teeth from drifting. They also reestablish normal contact with the opposing teeth, which aids in efficient chewing and helps protect the overall bite.
Materials used in modern bridges are designed for strength and a natural appearance. Porcelain and high-strength ceramics can be matched to your natural tooth shade and shaped to blend with your smile, while newer engineered materials offer improved longevity and biocompatibility.
There are several bridge designs to consider, each suited to different clinical situations. A traditional fixed bridge uses crowns on the teeth flanking the gap to support one or more pontics. It’s a reliable solution when those adjacent teeth are strong and healthy enough to serve as anchors.
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge but is supported from only one side. Dentists may recommend this when a supporting tooth on the opposite side is absent or when space or anatomy limits the use of two anchors. Careful planning ensures this option still provides stable function without overloading the supporting tooth.
Implant-supported bridges replace missing teeth using dental implants rather than relying on natural teeth for support. Because implants act like artificial roots, they preserve jawbone stimulation and avoid altering neighboring teeth. Implant-supported bridges are especially useful when several adjacent teeth are missing and a durable, long-term solution is desired.
A successful bridge begins with a comprehensive exam. We assess gum health, the condition of potential anchor teeth, and the quantity of jawbone. Healthy gums and stable supporting teeth are essential for a bridge to last. If periodontal disease is present, it must be addressed before restorative work begins.
For traditional bridges, the teeth that will support the restoration must have enough healthy structure and bone around them to handle the load. In some cases, additional dental work — such as root canal treatment or restorative reinforcement — may be recommended to create a stable foundation.
For implant-based solutions, we evaluate bone volume and density. When jawbone is insufficient, bone grafting or other preparatory procedures can rebuild the area to support implants. These preparatory steps are focused on giving the restoration a long-term, predictable outcome.
The process for a traditional fixed bridge typically spans several visits. It starts with a diagnostic visit to confirm the treatment plan and take necessary X-rays or scans. At the preparation visit, the abutment teeth are shaped to receive crowns, and impressions or digital scans are taken to guide the laboratory fabrication of the bridge.
While your permanent restoration is being made, a temporary bridge protects the prepared teeth and helps you eat and speak comfortably. Minor sensitivity and gum soreness are common after tooth preparation; these usually resolve as the mouth adjusts and healing progresses.
At the final visit, the permanent bridge is tried in to check shade, fit, and bite. Once everything is confirmed, the bridge is cemented in place. After placement, short follow-up checks help ensure the restoration feels comfortable and functions properly; small adjustments are sometimes necessary to perfect the bite.
Implant placement is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia, and sedation options are available to help patients feel relaxed. The treatment plan is guided by detailed diagnostics, often including 3D imaging to ensure precise implant positioning relative to the planned restoration.
After implants are placed, a period of healing — typically several months — allows the implants to integrate with the jawbone. During this time, a temporary restoration can often be provided so you are not without teeth. Once integration is complete, the implant-supported bridge is secured in place and adjusted for optimal function and comfort.
Because implants stimulate the underlying bone, they help preserve facial structure and reduce the bone loss that commonly follows tooth loss. This biological advantage, together with excellent functional outcomes, is why many patients and clinicians favor implant-supported bridges when appropriate.
At Newpoint Family Dental, our team takes a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to planning and placing dental bridges. If you are considering a bridge or want to learn which restorative pathway best suits your needs, please contact us for more information and to schedule a consultation.
Your new bridge is customized to the exact specifications of your smile. Before cementing to the underlying teeth or affixing it to the supporting implants, the shade, occlusion, and all aspects of its fit get carefully checked. In addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with your smile, it's also made to suit your bite and withstand all manner of oral function. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and that your bite feels comfortable.
Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge is a worthwhile investment in the look, health, and function of your smile. While many dental insurances offer coverage for a dental bridge, and some toward the cost of implants, the benefits and amounts can vary significantly from plan to plan. At the office of Newpoint Family Dental, we understand the financial considerations involved in care and do all we can to help patients begin treatment without any additional stress or delay. In addition to doing our best to optimize your dental benefits, we also offer several payment and financing options. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions on the cost of care, dental insurances, financing plans, or acceptable forms of payment.
Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.
The standard answer is that with routine dental visits and good home care, a bridge can last ten to fifteen years, and in many cases, much longer.
At the office of Newpoint Family Dental, we fabricate your bridge from the highest quality dental materials to achieve the most cosmetically pleasing and lifelike results of care. It's also customized to the exact specifications of your smile and designed for optimal aesthetics, strength, and stability. Once fabricated and cemented into place, you'll feel confident sharing your smile, speaking, and eating your favorite foods.
As your trusted partner in care, we analyze every aspect of your smile to develop a treatment plan that provides aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and long-lasting results of care.
For more information on dental bridges, or any services we provide, give us a call today.
