Dental Bridges in Stony Brook, NY

Dental bridges have always been popular when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Other options include dental implants and dentures. At Stony Brook Dental Group in Stony Brook, NY, we can provide patients with all three options. We take the time to explain the differences between them and make our recommendation. What happens next depends on the patient’s preferences.

Replacing a missing tooth or teeth promptly is highly recommended. Teeth position themselves based on how much space they have. When a tooth is lost, it can start to spread apart and take advantage of the extra room. Those with several missing teeth are more likely to have trouble chewing and speaking.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a structure that holds an artificial tooth or teeth. This structure is anchored on both ends of the patient’s healthy natural teeth. These teeth need to be healthy enough to support the bridge. They’re also modified by dental crowns during the process.

Most patients only need to replace a single tooth. At Stony Brook Dental Group in Stony Brook, NY, we’ve used bridges to replace several adjacent missing teeth too. The primary prerequisite is that they need to have healthy and strong adjacent teeth for support. The shade of the bridge can be modified, so it matches the rest of your teeth. This helps the bridge look more natural.

Dental Implants and Dentures

Dental bridges aren’t our only option for tooth replacement. We can also provide patients with implants and dentures. An implant doesn’t need surrounding teeth. It relies on a titanium screw fixated to the jawbone for attachment. Implants are more recent inventions than bridges and are considered more durable. You can get more than one implant if necessary.

Dentures are the only removable option. People can take their dentures off at night and put them back on in the morning. Bridges and implants, on the other hand, can only be removed at the dentist’s office or if they break due to severe trauma. Dental bridges last about 10-15 years in most patients before they need to be replaced. Dentures last about five years, while implants can last a lifetime. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation.