What Happens When You Get a Traditional Dental Bridge?

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Having a missing tooth or a tooth with severe damage can impact your smile or cause problems chewing. Our dentist in Jacksonville, FL, at Dr. Matt Henry offers dental bridges to help correct this issue, including traditional dental bridges. Here’s what to expect if you’re getting this type of restoration.

Local Anesthesia

The first step we take is numbing the area with local anesthesia to prevent you from experiencing any discomfort during your appointment.

Tooth Preparation

A traditional dental bridge uses crowns on adjacent teeth to hold a replacement tooth in place. Before you get this artificial tooth, we need to reshape the anchoring teeth on either side.

Dental Impressions

The replacement tooth you get as part of your permanent bridge is custom-designed based on your natural teeth. We take impressions to have this custom bridge created in a lab.

Temporary Bridge

Getting dental bridges in Jacksonville, FL, often involves having a temporary one placed at your first appointment. Your permanent one won’t be ready yet, so we’ll have you come back for that one.

Permanent Bridge

Once this is ready, you can visit to have it placed. We’ll remove the temporary bridge, then place your permanent bridge in your mouth. This includes using bonding cement to secure it.

Follow-Ups

You may not need a follow-up visit. But we encourage you to tell us if you have any problems with your dental bridge, like a damaged or loose part.

Schedule a Dental Bridge Appointment Today!

Do you need tooth restoration? Our dental team at Dr. Matt Henry offers different types of dental bridges in Jacksonville, FL, including traditional bridges to replace one or more missing or badly decayed teeth.

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Are Dental Bridges the Same as Crowns?

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Dental bridges and crowns have a tendency to get mixed up, which is understandable considering they both serve a similar purpose. Here, we’ll look at the differences between the two and how to know whether you need one over the other.

Dental Bridges in Jacksonville

A dental bridge in Jacksonville is a device that installs an artificial tooth, one that’s supported by your natural teeth. Most dental bridges will reinforce the artificial tooth via two partial crowns on the sides of the gap, allowing the tooth to safely rest below the gumline.

Dental Crowns in Jacksonville

A dental crown refers to either a partial or full artificial tooth. Dental crowns are a general service that dentists in Jacksonville may recommend for various procedures. For example, you may need a dental crown if the decay in your tooth is too extensive for a standard filling. Or a dentist will recommend a crown after a root canal to strengthen the tooth following the removal of the pulp.

What to Know

In general, dentists will recommend bridges if you’re not eligible for implants. The service is an excellent way to permanently replace a tooth, meaning you won’t have to deal with partial dentures. While it’s not as strong as an implant, it can handle plenty of wear and tear. If you’re looking for either a dental bridge or crown, the team at Dr. Matt Henry is here to help you select an option that can not only improve your oral health but also your quality of life.

Missing teeth and tooth decay can affect more than just your smile; they can impact everything from what you eat to the shape of your face. When you’re ready to make a change, we’re here to help you get a handle on the many options available!

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4 Restorative Dentistry Procedures to Help You

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When your teeth are damaged or injured, restoration dentistry procedures can help bring your teeth back to a functional and aesthetically pleasing condition. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL can help. At Dr. Matt Henry’s office, we offer a range of restoration dentistry procedures. We’ll help you decide which restoration procedure is best for your circumstances.

1. Fillings

A cavity is a hole in the tooth enamel made by dental decay. A dental filling is like a patch that the dentist uses to fill a cavity. Fillings come in composite material or amalgam.

Composite fillings are made from tooth-colored material, while amalgam fillings are made from silver material. Composite fillings are less durable and don’t last as long as amalgam. However, many patients prefer composite material for fillings near the front of the mouth.

2. Implants

An implant is a prosthetic tooth installed to fill the hole left behind when a permanent tooth is knocked out. Implants are surgically installed in the jaw, so they function a lot like natural teeth. If you’re missing a tooth, an implant makes it possible to chew and talk like you did before your tooth was knocked out.

3. Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that fits over a damaged tooth. Crowns can cover cosmetic damage as well as damage to the enamel. This makes a dental crown a great solution for some patients with broken teeth.

4. Bridges

A dental bridge is an alternative to a dental implant. A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that uses crowns to attach to adjacent teeth and hold the bridge in place.

Are you missing a tooth? Do you have a broken tooth? If so, you may need restorative dentistry in Jacksonville, FL. Call Dr. Matt Henry today to make an appointment.

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A Cost-Effective Way to Restore Your Smile

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Are your missing teeth causing you grief? Everyone wants a perfect smile. But a perfect smile can be expensive. So what can you do? Why not ask your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, about getting a dental bridge?

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is an oral device that literally “bridges” the gap where you have missing teeth. That’s why it’s called a bridge. It can replace one tooth or a row of missing teeth.  

The Pros and Cons of Getting a Dental Bridge

Just like anything else, there are pros and cons. Take a look at these pros and cons of getting a dental bridge in Jacksonville, FL. Dental bridges are a cost-effective way to restore your smile.

Pros:

  • Cheaper alternative to other tooth replacement options.
  • Provides you with a natural-looking tooth/teeth.
  • Restores your ability to chew and speak properly.
  • Keeps your nearby teeth from shifting into the gap left by your missing tooth/teeth.

Cons:

  • Tooth decay or an injury could damage the surrounding teeth and compromise your bridge.
  • A bridge could cause the surrounding teeth to crack if they are weak or weakened.
  • Must diligently maintain the proper bridge care and cleaning. Otherwise, plaque and bacteria will build up under the bridge, causing inflamed gums and increasing the chances of a cavity.

How to Take Care of Your New Dental Bridge

Floss and brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. You must clean underneath your bridge with floss threaders or special dental brushes designed for that purpose. Don’t chew your fingernails, ice, or other hard objects. Avoid chewy, sticky, and extremely hard foods. And visit your dentist regularly.

Looking for a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

Ready to get your smile back? Please Contact Dr. Matt Henry today. Let us bridge the gap between your teeth and your confidence. Don’t put off smiling another day!