Dental Bridges in Rogers, AR

If one or a few of your teeth have fallen out, it is not just a problem with appearance — large gaps in your teeth may cause your remaining teeth to shift. This may lead to extra tension when you bite, pain when you chew, or even cause trouble speaking. A bridge improves the health and appearance of your smile by filling in gaps using a false tooth that is supported by either dental implants, your natural teeth, or both. At All About Smiles in Rogers, AR, Dr. Brett Cotham offers custom-made bridges and implant-supported bridges with high-quality materials to help give you back your smile. If you have missing teeth, schedule an appointment to learn about your treatment options with a custom bridge.

Missing teeth are not just an appearance problem — spaces in your smile may heavily impact the health of your mouth. Your mouth is balanced carefully and a gap may affect how well you can use it. In time, gaps may lead to the shifting of teeth, causing problems with your bite (underbite, crossbite, overbite) and gum or jawbone atrophy. To place a bridge, the surrounding teeth must be healthy enough to hold the restoration with good density in the jawbone and gum tissue. Dr. Cotham will examine your teeth, gums, and jaw at your consultation to help you select the best type of bridge (cantilever, traditional, resin bonded, or Maryland bonded) and material (ceramic, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and metal).

Once your supporting teeth are prepped, we will take digital images and dental impressions so your bridge can be created. A temporary bridge may be used while your custom one is crafted. As soon as your restoration is ready, your mouth may be prepped with a numbing agent. Stronger sedation methods can be discussed for anxiety or if you have issues with your gag reflex to help keep you calm during the placement. Your dental bridge can be glued into its position or connected to implants based on the method you selected at your consult. Dr. Cotham will then adjust the position of your bridge so it is comfortable and stable.

Once your custom bridge or implant-supported bridge is in place, you should have a noticeable improvement in the function and appearance of your teeth. You may schedule a follow-up appointment at All About Smiles to improve your bridge's fit if it seems loose or uncomfortable after it is placed. Dr. Cotham will teach you how to care for your restoration, including the ways to keep it clean and whether or not you need to avoid any foods. It's important to regularly clean your bridge and mouth because decay can develop under the bridge. If you properly care for it, your custom bridge may stay in place for several years. You need to continue to attend appointments at All About Smiles to get an annual dental examination and bi-annual cleanings. At your dental exam, we can evaluate the wear and health of your custom bridge to decide if it should be replaced or repaired.

Restorations, like dental bridges, are usually partially covered by most dental insurance companies. A member of our team will contact your dental insurance to determine how much they will pay. All About Smiles offers several payment methods, including financing options, that may be talked about at your consult. We can also help you choose the best type and material for your bridge to suit your budget and needs.

Even if you don't mind the way your smile looks with a gap, it may turn into a more serious issue later on if it isn't fixed. Make an appointment at All About Smiles to get more information about dental bridges and what options will fit your unique needs. Dr. Cotham is pleased to offer custom dental bridges that can improve the health and appearance of your teeth. Contact our front office in Rogers, AR to schedule your consultation.