Dental Bridges in Farmington, UT

When one or more of your teeth have fallen out, it's not just a cosmetic issue — missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift out of place. This could cause more tension in your bite, increased pain during chewing, or even trouble speaking. A dental bridge improves the appearance and health of your smile by covering gaps with a false tooth that is supported by either your natural teeth, dental implants, or a combination of both. At Oakridge Dental in Farmington, UT, board-certified dentist Dr. Brian Call offers dental bridges that are crafted with high-quality materials to help give you back your beautiful smile. If you have missing teeth, please schedule a consultative appointment with Dr. Call to get more information about your treatment options with a custom bridge.

Individuals with missing teeth don't merely have an appearance issue — spaces between your teeth may have a dramatic impact on your oral health. A person's mouth is carefully balanced so a missing tooth can greatly affect its function. In time, a missing tooth can cause the other teeth to shift, which may result in problems with your bite (underbite, overbite, crossbite) and atrophy of the gums and jawbone. To place a bridge, the surrounding teeth must be strong enough to support the restoration, which requires good jawbone density and gum health. Dr. Call will examine the gum tissues and jaw during your consultation to help you choose the best type of bridge (cantilever, traditional, Maryland bonded, or resin bonded). At Oakridge Dental, many of our restorations are crafted with the innovative CEREC same-day restoration system.

Once your teeth are filed and reshaped to suit the bridge, Dr. Call will take digital x-rays and dental impressions so your restoration can be created. As soon as it's ready, your mouth may be prepped with a numbing agent. Other anesthesia or sedation options may be used if you have fears, anxieties, or a strong gag reflex to help keep you comfortable during the placement. Your custom bridge will either be fixed to nearby teeth or kept in place with dental implants, depending on the technique that was selected during your consultation. Dr. Call will carefully adjust the fit of the bridge so that it's comfortable in your mouth and remains in place.

Once your bridge is in place, you should notice a significant improvement in the appearance and function of your teeth. You may need to attend a follow-up visit at Oakridge Dental to adjust the fit of your bridge if it feels uncomfortable after placement. Dr. Call or a member of his team will show you how to maintain your bridge and go over how to properly clean it. Making sure that your bridge and mouth are clean is crucial because decay may still develop under the bridge. If you properly care for your restoration, your custom bridge may last for several years. You should continue to schedule appointments at Oakridge Dental and attend your annual dental exams and twice-yearly cleanings. During your examination, Dr. Call will assess the wear and function of your dental bridge to determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Even if you don't mind how your smile looks with a gap, leaving an open space between your teeth can lead to long-term problems if treatment is not sought out. Schedule an appointment with board-certified dentist Dr. Call to learn more about dental bridge restorations and the many options available to suit your unique needs. Oakridge Dental is pleased to offer high-quality dental restorations that can help improve the appearance and health of your mouth. Contact our front office in Farmington, UT to schedule your appointment.