Fill in Large Gaps in Your Smile with Dental Bridges
Multiple, consecutive missing teeth can compromise your ability to eat your favorite foods, affect your speech, and lower your self-confidence. Dr. Douglas Pohl has been creating custom dental restorations for his patients since 1986 and can provide you with a custom dental bridge.
A dental bridge is usually supported by surrounding teeth or by dental implants, depending on the condition of your smile and your personal preferences. Our practice in Fort Walton Beach, FL, has been working with a dental lab for over 20 years to create stunning restorations that look and feel great for years to come.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a set of prosthetic teeth anchored between two dental crowns. It can be used to replace one to three consecutive missing teeth anywhere in your smile. While a traditional bridge held in place by crowns is effective, Dr. Pohl can also provide an implant-supported bridge if you want to enjoy the added benefits of dental implants.
After prepping the neighboring teeth, your dentist will attach a traditional bridge by anchoring it with two dental crowns.
Treatment Timeline
Although the course of treatment will vary depending on the current condition of your smile and your unique treatment plan, receiving a bridge typically takes two appointments.
Initial Appointment
After assessing the health of your smile and treating any outstanding oral health issues, Dr. Pohl will gently reshape the teeth which will support your dental bridge. He will then take impressions of your smile to send to his trusted lab.
Whether you choose a traditional or implant-retained restoration, you can enjoy improvements in your ability to eat and speak with a custom dental bridge.
Crafting Your Bridge
Dr. Pohl has been working with a dental restoration lab exclusively for over 20 years. At the lab, a ceramist will craft your dental bridge out of natural-looking materials which closely match the color and texture of your surrounding teeth. Because the fabrication process takes approximately two weeks, we may recommend that you wear a temporary restoration to protect your teeth.
Permanent Placement
Once your dental bridge is ready, you can return to our office to receive your final restoration. Prior to cementing the bridge in place, Dr. Pohl will assess the fit and feel to ensure that you can bite and speak properly with the bridge attached. He will then secure the bridge in place using dental cement. With proper care, good oral hygiene, and regular visits to the dentist, your bridge can last up to a decade.
The entire process from start to finish typically takes two weeks. However, if you choose to receive an implant-supported bridge, your timeline will generally be four to six months longer.
Traditional vs. Implant-Supported
Dr. Pohl will coordinate your dental implant surgery with an oral surgeon. After creating an incision in the gum tissue, the surgeon will insert the dental implants into your jawbone and suture the gums back together. In most cases, implants then fuse with the surrounding bone tissue over the next four to six months. This process is known as osseointegration. It is a vital step towards securing a stable foundation for your new restoration. During this period of recovery and bone growth, you should avoid smoking and other habits which can affect your healing.
Strengthen Your Smile
Do not let missing teeth continue to affect your daily life and self-confidence. Whether you choose a traditional or implant-retained restoration, you can enjoy improvements in your ability to eat and speak with a custom dental bridge. To assist you with paying for treatment, we accept financing through CareCredit®. Call us at (850) 243-0800 or contact our team online to begin your smile transformation.
