St. Joseph Dental Bridges - Modern Dentistry Associates

Making Missing Teeth Disappear

Missing teeth not only create cosmetic issues with your smile, they also can lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated. You may experience difficulty chewing without a full set of teeth and leave you prone to bacteria and decay. In some cases, neighboring teeth may shift to fill in your missing teeth gap, creating alignment issues with your bite.

The Dental Bridge Structure

At Modern Dentistry Associates, we create dental bridges that are metal-free whenever possible. We use advanced materials that are safe, comfortable, and produce results that closely resemble real teeth.

The dental bridge is composed of two dental crowns placed on the teeth on each side of the gap and a false tooth, called a pontic, to fill the gap. Your dental bridge can either be supported by your remaining natural teeth or by dental implants.

Placing a Dental Bridge

Your dental bridge can be placed in just two short visits to our St. Joseph dental office. During your first visit, Dr. Godawa prepares the anchoring teeth (the teeth that neighbor the missing tooth). A digital impression is taken of the 3-tooth space, and the mold is sent to our dental lab for the creation of your crowns and false tooth. While the new bridge is being crafted, you will wear a temporary dental bridge.

Once the permanent fixture is ready, we will call you back for your placement appointment. The final restoration comes as one piece, with the false tooth suspended between the two crowns. Dr. Godawa gently fits the two crowns over the anchoring teeth, adjusts them for maximum comfort and a proper bite, and bonds them into place.

Filling in a tooth gap is good for my smile appearance, but what other benefits does a bridge offer?

Choosing to replace a missing tooth with a dental bridge can have a positive effect on your entire mouth. The two dental crowns help strengthen and protect the anchoring teeth. The presence of the false tooth in between prevents these teeth from shifting. A dental bridge makes it possible to bite down normally, which means you don’t have to avoid chewing in this area of the mouth. Bridges can also reduce the risk of gum disease, improve speech, and even correct bite problems that existed before you lost your tooth. Finally, the new tooth is shaped to fit into your bite perfectly, thus providing support for corresponding upper or lower teeth and preventing alignment issues with your bite that could arise when a tooth is absent.

What if I want to fill in a missing tooth but cannot afford the cost of a dental bridge right now?

St. Joseph cosmetic dentist Dr. Andrea Godawa prices his dental bridges very competitively. If you feel that the overall cost is prohibitive at this point, we would be happy to discuss our third-party dental financing plans with you. We are committed to helping you make your dental care fits into your budget so that you can enjoy optimal levels of oral health.

What is my first step for having a dental bridge placed?

If you are tired of putting up with a tooth gap and you would like a permanent solution, find out more about dental bridges during a personal consultation with Dr. Godawa. We gladly accept new patients and would be happy to fill you in on all of the details at your convenience.

What makes Dr. Godawa a good choice for my dental bridge?

Dr. Godawa has helped countless patients in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo, Michigan to eliminate the embarrassment caused by missing teeth. She is an experienced dental professional with an exceptional training background. She and her team place a high priority on personalized service, which includes being available to patients both before and after procedures should any questions arise. She will go out of his way to make sure you have a good experience and that you are happy with your results.

Will my new bridge stand out or fit in with my natural teeth?

We try to avoid using metal in our dental bridges, choosing only materials that mimic the qualities of your natural teeth. Porcelain and composite bridges are colored to match your natural tooth shade. These materials absorb and reflect light like enamel for a natural appearance that makes your false tooth inconspicuous.

Dental Bridges