If you’re missing teeth, struggling with chewing, or noticing gaps in your smile, bridges might be the solution you need. At Charleston Dental Studio, Dr. Julie Driscoll offers expertly crafted dental bridges to restore your smile, improve speech, and prevent shifting teeth. Let Dr. Driscoll help you regain function and confidence with this seamless, lasting solution.
Replace One or More Missing Teeth
Dental bridges are custom-designed restorations that replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth (or teeth) to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Dr. Driscoll creates bridges that restore the appearance of your smile and improve chewing, speech, and overall oral health. Bridges help prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of place and maintain proper alignment. They provide a functional, aesthetic solution for missing teeth.
Reasons to Consider Bridges:
- You have one or more missing teeth
- You struggle with chewing or speaking effectively
- You want to restore your smile’s appearance
- You notice your remaining teeth shifting or becoming misaligned
- You want a durable, long-term solution for missing teeth
- You want to maintain proper bite and jaw function
How Do Bridges Work?
Dental bridges fill the gap left by missing teeth using artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to surrounding natural teeth or dental implants. The abutment teeth on either side of the gap are reshaped to support the bridge, and crowns are placed for stability.
The pontic is crafted to match your natural teeth, ensuring seamless function and appearance. By redistributing bite force and maintaining proper tooth alignment, bridges help prevent jaw stress, tooth shifting, and further oral health complications.
Benefits of Bridges:
- Restore your ability to chew and speak comfortably
- Enhance the appearance of your smile
- Prevent adjacent teeth from shifting out of place
- Maintain proper bite alignment and jaw function
- Provide a durable, long-lasting solution for missing teeth
- Custom-designed for a natural and seamless look
- Help preserve facial structure by preventing bone loss
Your Bridges Experience
Your session begins with a consultation, during which Dr. Driscoll evaluates your oral health and discusses your goals. During the first appointment, the teeth adjacent to the gap are prepared by reshaping them to support the bridge. Impressions are then taken to create a custom-fit bridge that matches your natural teeth. A temporary bridge is placed while your permanent one is crafted. At your follow-up visit, the permanent bridge is fitted, adjusted, and securely bonded in place to restore your smile and improve function seamlessly.
Bridges FAQs
What Materials Are Dental Bridges Made Of?
Dental bridges are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials. At Charleston Dental Studio, Dr. Driscoll uses high-quality materials to match your natural teeth and ensure durability, functionality, and aesthetics.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
With proper care, dental bridges can last 10-15 years or longer. Regular dental checkups, good oral hygiene, and avoiding habits like chewing on hard objects can extend their lifespan.
Does Getting a Dental Bridge Hurt?
The bridge placement process is typically comfortable, as Dr. Driscoll ensures the area is numbed before beginning treatment. You may experience mild sensitivity or discomfort after the procedure, but this usually subsides quickly.
Can I Eat Normally With a Dental Bridge?
Yes, dental bridges restore your ability to chew effectively. While you may need to adjust to the bridge initially, it allows you to enjoy a wide variety of foods. However, avoid excessively sticky or hard foods that might stress the bridge.
Meet Dr. Julie Driscoll Today
Dr. Julie Driscoll is a skilled and compassionate dentist dedicated to restoring smiles and improving lives through advanced dental care. With extensive training in general and cosmetic dentistry, she specializes in creating custom solutions like dental bridges to address missing teeth. At Charleston Dental Studio, Dr. Driscoll focuses on understanding your unique needs and delivering exceptional results in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Driscoll today to explore how bridges can restore your smile.