Welcome to South Bay Dentistry, your trusted home for comprehensive dental care in Apollo Beach. If you need a solution for missing teeth, our dental bridges service is designed to restore not only the functionality of your teeth but also your confidence in your smile. Led by the highly skilled Dr. Denise McCaskill, our team is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care and treatment options, including expertly crafted dental bridges.
Understanding Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are an effective and popular restorative dental solution used to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is composed of two or more crowns on either side of the gap — these anchoring teeth are known as abutment teeth — and a false tooth to actually fill the gap. These false teeth are called pontics and they can be made from gold, other metal alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
At South Bay Dentistry, we specialize in creating dental bridges that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. Dr. Denise McCaskill, a respected dentist Apollo Beach is proud to host, uses her extensive expertise to ensure that your dental bridge blends seamlessly with your natural teeth, enhancing your oral health and improving your smile aesthetics.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Choosing dental bridges for replacing missing teeth offers several benefits:
- Restored Smile: Dental bridges help restore your smile by filling the gaps left by missing teeth, improving your facial aesthetics and boosting your self-esteem.
- Improved Chewing and Speaking: Bridges restore the ability to properly chew food and can improve speech, which might otherwise be affected by the absence of teeth.
- Maintaining Facial Shape: By preventing the remaining teeth from shifting out of position, bridges help maintain the shape of your face and alleviate stress on your bite.
- Durability: With proper care, dental bridges can last 5-15 years or even longer, making them a long-term solution for missing teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
At South Bay Dentistry, Dr. McCaskill provides several types of dental bridges, each tailored to meet different needs and situations:
- Traditional Bridges: The most common type of bridge, featuring a pontic flanked by crowns that are cemented onto the natural teeth or implants next to the missing tooth.
- Cantilever Bridges: Used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth.
- Maryland Bonded Bridges: Made of porcelain fused to metal or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework, these bridges are attached to existing teeth only on one side.
The Process of Getting a Dental Bridge
Getting a dental bridge at South Bay Dentistry involves a few key steps:
- Initial Consultation: Dr. McCaskill will conduct a thorough examination to determine if a dental bridge is the best option for you. This includes evaluating your oral health and discussing your aesthetic goals.
- Preparation: The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are prepared by recontouring these teeth to receive the crowns that will support the bridge. We take impressions of the teeth, which then serve as a model from which our dental lab will fabricate the bridge, pontic, and crowns.
- Temporary Bridge: A temporary bridge will be placed to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the permanent bridge is being crafted.
- Fitting Your Permanent Bridge: Once your permanent bridge is ready, you’ll return for a fitting. Dr. McCaskill will adjust and place the bridge to ensure the fit and bite are correct, providing comfort and a natural appearance.
- Follow-Up: After the placement of the bridge, you may need one or more follow-up visits to check the fit and function and to discuss care for your new bridge.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
To ensure the longevity of your dental bridges, South Bay Dentistry recommends a regular oral hygiene routine that includes:
- Brushing twice daily and using floss or an interdental cleaner to clean under and around your bridge.
- Regular check-ups and cleanings with Dr. McCaskill to prevent problems such as cavities and gum disease.
Choose South Bay Dentistry for Your Dental Bridges
At South Bay Dentistry, a dentist Apollo Beach loves, we are committed to providing you with solutions that improve your dental health and overall well-being. Dr. Denise McCaskill and our caring team are ready to help you achieve the smile you deserve with high-quality dental bridges and personalized care. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a fuller, more confident smile.
