If you want to restore functionality while giving yourself a cosmetic boost, then dental bridges could be a great option for you. Here at James Martin, DMD, we prioritize oral health to strengthen your overall well-being and improve your lifestyle. Our collaborative approach and expert care are supported by Dr. Martin’s extensive hours of continuing education he receives each year. We reach new heights with dental excellence to transform your smile.
Contact our dental team today to take a health-conscious approach that restores function and appearance in your smile.
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What are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are used to replace 1–3 missing teeth in a row. Dental bridges cover your surrounding teeth and have a dental crown in between to fill the gap from one or more missing teeth. We create two options of dental implants: removable or permanent. Our permanent dental bridges can be supported by dental implants for extra restorative care.
When Do I Need a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are primarily for replacing a missing tooth. If you have a tooth that needs to be removed or is already missing, bridges can help. They prevent your remaining teeth from shifting into your tooth gap, restore functionality, and aesthetics.
Dental bridges can be particularly helpful for those who don’t have enough bone density for implants. Bridges don’t require surgery or bone density, but still offer restorative solutions for missing teeth.
What Dental Bridges Have to Offer
Dental bridges are a common dental treatment because of the many benefits they provide. Our dental office sets a new precedent for this procedure through these key features:
- Customized Solutions | Since every smile is unique, we not only customize your treatment but also the bridge and crown used in the process. This will give you natural-looking, comfortable, and long-lasting results.
- Preservation of Natural Tooth Structure | With this treatment, you do not have to worry about losing any more teeth or damaging your current smile. Instead, it preserves your natural tooth structure and provides a stable foundation for the bridge.
- Restoration of Functionality | You will be able to eat and speak without problems once the dental bridge fills the gap caused by a missing tooth.
- Cosmetic Enhancement | The appearance of your smile can be drastically interrupted by a gap, but a bridge fills that gap with a natural-appearing tooth to help you regain your confidence.
- Versatile Options | Dental bridges can be implant-supported, removable, or permanent, depending on your preferences, oral health history, and Dr. Martin’s suggestion. This helps you have a smile you love and opens up candidacy possibilities.
Our Dental Bridge Process
The process for receiving a dental bridge changes based on whether you are receiving a traditional bridge or an implant-supported bridge. Traditional bridges use the surrounding teeth to replace your tooth, while dental implant bridges replace at least three teeth using two dental implants.
Both processes will start with a consultation with Dr. Martin. If you are a new patient, he offers personalized and thorough 2-hour inital consultations to get started. Your X-rays during that consultation are even complimentary!
Using those X-rays and our CBCT scanner, we can determine if you are a good candidate for a traditional or implant-supported bridge.
Traditional Dental Bridge Process
- Tooth Preparation | The teeth on either side of the gap (called abutment teeth) will be reshaped to make room for the crowns that will support the bridge. This step is done under local anesthesia to ensure comfort.
- Impressions and Shade Matching | Once your teeth are prepared, Dr. Martin will take detailed impressions of your mouth. These are used to custom-design your bridge for a perfect fit. He’ll also match the shade of the bridge to your natural teeth for a seamless appearance. Our impressions are digital, so you don’t have to deal with messy impression material.
- Temporary Bridge Placement | While your permanent bridge is being crafted by our dental lab, a temporary bridge will be placed to protect your teeth and maintain function.
- Final Bridge Placement | At your next visit, the temporary bridge is removed, and your new permanent bridge is carefully placed, adjusted for fit and comfort, and cemented in place.
- Follow-Up and At-Home Care | Dr. Martin will check your bite and give you personalized instructions on caring for your bridge. Regular brushing, flossing, and checkups will help your new bridge last for years to come.
If you receive a removable bridge, we will still prep your teeth, but after that, we will create a removable bridge using your impressions. You can come pick up the bridge and come in for a fitting. You will remove it every night and clean it similarly to dentures. You can look at our partial dentures information to learn more about removable restorations.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge Process
These bridges can take more time to get and recover from, but they have numerous extra benefits over traditional bridges.
- Implant Placement Surgery | Dental implants, which are small titanium posts that act as your tooth roots, are surgically placed into the jawbone at the sites of the missing teeth. These serve as stable anchors for your future bridge. Healing time varies, but most patients need a few months for the implants to fully integrate with their jawbone.
- Temporary Restoration (If Needed) | During the healing phase, a temporary bridge or restoration may be provided to maintain appearance and function while the implants bond with your jawbone.
- Abutment Placement | Once the implants have fully healed, small connectors called abutments are attached to the top of each implant. These will hold your final bridge securely in place.
- Impressions and Custom Bridge Design | Dr. Martin will take precise impressions and choose a tooth shade that matches your natural smile. Your final bridge is crafted to ensure a secure fit and natural appearance.
- Final Bridge Placement | The permanent bridge is attached to the abutments and adjusted for comfort, function, and appearance. Dr. Martin will ensure your bite is balanced and the bridge feels natural.
- Ongoing Care and Maintenance | You’ll receive personalized guidance on how to clean around your implants and maintain your bridge. Regular checkups with Dr. Martin will help ensure long-term success and protect your overall oral health.
Comparing Implant-Supported Bridges and Traditional Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a trusted solution for replacing missing teeth, but not all bridges work the same way. Both solutions provide an enhancement to your appearance, an increase in function, and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting into the gaps caused by missing teeth.
Depending on your oral health and the number of teeth you need replaced, Dr. Martin may recommend a traditional bridge or an implant-supported one. Here’s how they compare.
Traditional Dental Bridges
- Replaces a Single Tooth | A traditional bridge is most often used to replace one missing tooth.
- Requires Support from Neighboring Teeth | The teeth on either side of the gap are reshaped and fitted with crowns to hold the artificial tooth in place.
- No Surgery Required | This option does not involve surgery, which can be ideal for those looking for a quicker or less invasive treatment.
- Shorter Timeline | Traditional bridges can often be completed in just a few visits.
- May Involve Healthy Teeth | One drawback is that the adjacent teeth need to be altered, even if they’re otherwise healthy.
Each option offers specific benefits depending on your unique needs and preferences. Dr. Martin will take the time to evaluate your smile, bone health, and long-term goals to guide you toward the best solution. Whether you choose a traditional or implant-supported bridge, the goal is the same: to restore function, improve appearance, and help you smile with confidence.
Implant-Supported Bridge
- Replaces Three or More Teeth | This type of bridge is commonly used when you’re missing multiple teeth in a row.
- Anchored by Dental Implants | Instead of relying on nearby teeth, implants are surgically placed in the jawbone to support the bridge.
- Preserves Natural Teeth | Since it doesn’t involve modifying surrounding teeth, implant-supported bridges protect more of your natural tooth structure.
- Stronger, More Stable Option | The implants provide excellent support, offering a more secure and long-lasting solution.
- Longer Treatment Timeline | Because it involves surgery and healing time, implant-supported bridges take longer to complete.
- Improved Jawbone Health | While both options improve function and oral health, only dental implants provide support to your jawbone.
- Higher Initial Investment | Since dental implants are a surgical procedure, they can raise the cost of a dental bridge, but they last much longer than traditional dental bridges.
Trust Dr. Martin With Your Restorations
Dr. Martin has over 2000+ hours of post-residency education in restorative dentistry and implant dentistry. You can trust him to work with you to help you select the right kind of dental bridge that works best for your smile. We have many other tooth replacement options should a dental bridge not be the right one.
Find Out More—Call Today!
Dental bridges can help you feel confident and regain your smile’s function once again. Schedule a consultation with our dental team to get started on your new and improved smile today!
About Dr. Martin
Dr. James Martin received his doctorate in dentistry from Boston University in 2011 and then completed a one-year residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He continues to travel all around the world to attend at least 200 hours a year of continuing education from the leaders in the field. Dr. Martin is also a Kois-trained dentist in order to provide top aesthetic and long-term oral health care. Dr. Martin blends innovation with personalized attention for a healthier, more radiant smile.
Darrell C.
“As a medical provider myself, I am quite impressed by the degree of care provided at this dental office. They have state of the art equipment and a beautiful clinic. Dr. Martin is incredibly thorough and the hygienist Marie has a delicate touch. Everyone at the front desk provided a warm welcome. And the soundtrack playing at the clinic was excellent If you want the best dental care, I recommend going here.”
Cheryl H.
“Dr Martin and the whole staff are amazing! I’ve been seeing Dr Martin for nearly a year now getting a lot of long overdue work done, and am currently nearing the end of the process of getting a couple implants. His work is amazing and top of the line! I have major anxiety in general, but excessive health (dental) anxiety and everyone here has been very supportive and understanding when I had many questions or just needed reassurance. Richelle, Kelly and Sabrina are the best as well and really make the whole experience positive.”
Judy P
“I don’t usually give reviews, but my experience with Dr. Martin and his staff have been excellent and beyond thorough. I’ve always had high anxiety with dental work. But, not this time with this office! I just got 2 crowns and a filling all in one sitting. The coolest thing is their oral sedation (which is free).
Didn’t feel a thing and just slept for a while after the procedure. If you suffer from dental anxiety and are sensitive to pain, I strongly recommend James Martin DMD and their awesome team! They really do rock!”
Jeremy W.
“Words can hardly express my appreciation. Their facility is High tech. They are knowledgeable and compassionate with a great ability to communicate. They enjoy what they do and take pride in their work. Dr. Martin is a true artist of his time and blessing to his field.”
Kathy G.
“This is THE Dental office to go to for fantastic personal care!! Dr James Martin’s staff is as caring and professional as Dr Martin. Every step of the way we have been treated with kindness and respect. Every step of the way the procedure has been explained in detail so I understand why things are going forward & the precise way that they are set out. Thank you to Dr James Martin and team!!”
Sherry W.
“Dr. Martin is the most thorough dentist I have ever been to. He truly cares about his patients and the quality of his work is excellent. The staff is so friendly and efficient at their jobs. The technology they use is very modern and some of their equipment I have never seen before with any of my previous dental offices. I highly recommend James Martin DMD!”
Darby M.
“This is by far the best dentist office I have ever been too. I would recommend them to anyone, especially those with fears of going. I have never felt more welcomed or treated with as much respect.”
Rebecca D.
“I have a major phobia of the dentist. Which has made me not go when I’ve needed too. After my initial call, the office emailed and text to follow up to have me make an appointment. Dr. Martin was great. He talked me through the first step of work I would need, and he made me feel comfortable. I was put under for my first step of work. I got a text the next day to follow up on my care and Dr. Martin talked me through the concerns I had. All of the team was wonderful as well! I appreciate this office and what they do to help people get the care they need.”
Jesse G.
“I’m completely amazed by how wonderful the staff is here as well as Dr. Martin. I can honestly say that I have never been this comfortable at a dentist’s office in my life. Dr. Martin truly cares about his patients and is passionate about what he does. I have low sinuses and he was able to extract my tooth without perforating my sinus. That was a first for me. He listens to his patients. I will never go anywhere else for dental care. From the first point of contact with his office to my most recent follow-up appointment today, the care, the kindness, and the helpfulness have been genuine and consistent!”
Dan C.
“Best dentist I’ve ever had. Everyone on the team is friendly and very knowledgeable. They really make going to the dentist a relaxing experience instead of an anxious one.”
Lauren Y.
“This is the best dentist I’ve ever been to! Go here and you’ll be completely satisfied.”
Brian C.
“All the things I was scared about and all my concerns, Dr. Martin dissuaded me from feeling those things. I’ve never been to any location, like any business or doctor, that’s really cared as much as [this office] does and goes out of their way to make sure that I’m taken care of; that’s a big thing for me. Things that I’m able to do now that I wasn’t before, that’d be being happy and proud to take pictures. Since getting all this work done and completed, I’m actually able to eat all the things that I want now.”
