man crossing his arms and smiling

Dental Bridges in Auburn, IN

Restore Your Smile and Confidence with Dental Bridges 

Smiling is an essential part of our everyday lives. It helps us express our emotions and connect with others. However, if you have missing teeth, it can cause discomfort and self-consciousness. Dental bridges can help restore your smile and confidence. At Smiles for Life, our Auburn, IN, dentist Dr. Nate Heffelfinger offers a range of dental services, including dental bridges, to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

A woman shows off her bright white dental bridges.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are a prosthetic device used to fill gaps in the mouth caused by missing teeth. They consist of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap with a false tooth in between. The false tooth is called a pontic and can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, gold, or alloys.

Types of Dental Bridges

dental bridge

Traditional Bridges

Traditional bridges are the most common type of dental bridge and are made of porcelain fused with metal or ceramic. They’re anchored to the abutment teeth and are ideal for replacing one or two missing teeth.

mock up picture of dental implants

Implant-Supported Bridges

If you’re missing more than two teeth in a row, Dr. Heffelfinger can use an implant-supported bridge to restore your smile.As opposed to traditional bridges, implant-supported bridges don’t use your natural teeth to anchor. Instead, Dr. Heffelfinger will place implants to attach the bridge, providing excellent stability and function.

cantilever bridge

Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but they’re anchored to only one abutment tooth instead of two. Dentists often use these dental bridges when there are no surrounding teeth on one side of the missing tooth.

maryland bridge

Maryland Bridges

Unlike traditional bridges, Maryland bridges do not require crowns to be placed on the surrounding teeth. This makes them a more conservative option for replacing a missing tooth, as less of the surrounding teeth need to be altered. However, Maryland bridges are typically only recommended for front teeth and may not be suitable for all patients. 

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges offer many benefits, including:

  • Restores your smile: Dental bridges can help fill gaps caused by missing teeth, restoring your smile and confidence.
  • Improves your speech: Missing teeth can affect your ability to speak clearly. Dental bridges can help improve your speech.
  • Prevents further dental problems: Gaps caused by missing teeth can lead to further dental problems such as shifting teeth, gum disease, and decay. Dental bridges can help prevent these issues.

The Dental Bridge Process

Getting a dental bridge typically requires two visits to our Auburn office. During the first visit, Dr. Heffelfinger will prepare the abutment teeth by removing some of the enamel to make room for the bridge. Impressions of the teeth will be taken and sent to a dental lab for fabrication. In the meantime, we’ll place a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth until the permanent bridge is ready.

At your second visit, our Auburn dentist will remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent bridge. The bridge will then be adjusted for proper fit and bite. Patients should expect some sensitivity in the first few days after getting a dental bridge, but this should resolve quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Heffelfinger

Dental bridges are a great solution for restoring missing teeth and improving the overall appearance of your smile. They’re custom-made to fit your specific dental needs and can last for several years with proper care and maintenance. 

If you have missing teeth and are considering dental bridges, be sure to schedule a consultation at our Auburn office by giving us a call at (260) 925-4290 or filling out our online contact form to determine if this is the right solution for you. Dr. Heffelfinger and our team of dental professionals are proud to serve Indiana patients in Auburn, Waterloo, Garrett, Butler, and the surrounding areas. 

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