Restorative & Cosmetic Dental Bridges in Valparaiso
providing exceptional customized & comprehensive dental care
Restoring Your Smile and Oral Health
If you are missing one or more continuous teeth there are many dental solutions for you. If you have a missing tooth it can not only be embarrassing but cause future oral health issues such as shifting of your teeth, uneven distribution of your bite, periodontal (gum) issues, deterioration of your jawbone, jaw alignment issues, and you may be reluctant to smile. Dr. Michael Drone has extensive experience in cosmetic dentistry and understands the importance of your dental condition and the effects it has with your confidence and oral health. A dental bridge can be an alternative restoration to a dental implant, a removable partial denture, or treatment with braces. We strongly believe in replacing a missing single tooth or multiple teeth and offer a wide variety of tooth replacement solutions to provide you with a stunning smile.
Call Our Office Today At (219) 462-2564
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is one of the most effective, fixed (non-removable), and cosmetic dental options that literally “bridges the gap” left from the missing tooth. It is a fixed restoration and is custom designed to improve your bite and enhance your smile. A bridge consists of at least one artificial tooth known as a pontic and it is connected to two crowns known as abutments. Each abutment tooth will be used to support the bridge and must be free of diseases such as gum disease, bone loss, and dental decay. Not only can bridges be attached to natural teeth, they also can be secured to dental implants. For patients desiring to have implant bridges, some of the key criteria are adequate bone to support the implants and healthy gum tissue to prevent inflammation around the implants.
Dental bridges function to preserve and protect your teeth and can improve your self-confidence by providing you with a healthy smile. If you are suffering from either a single missing tooth or several missing teeth, a dental bridge is a safe, effective, and long-lasting cosmetic dental solution.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are many types of dental bridges depending on several circumstances for each patient. Each bridge is unique in design. The three types of bridges are a traditional bridge, a cantilever bridge and a Maryland bonded bridge. The bridges can be made from gold, resin, porcelain and metal combination, or all ceramic.
Traditional Bridge
A traditional bridge spans the gap between two or more dental crowns that are placed onto the teeth next to the missing space. The two dental crowns are called abutments and the missing artificial tooth is called a pontic. The two dental crowns and pontic are joined together, hence a bridge. The teeth that receive the crowns are modified in size and shape, and these teeth are the anchors that hold the artificial replacement tooth in between. The bridge is secured with dental cement to the teeth or dental implants to make sure there is no movement or risk of the bridge falling out when eating or socializing.
Cantilever Bridge
A cantilever bridge is very similar to a traditional bridge but instead of modifying two teeth, we are only modifying only one tooth to hold the dental crown and pontic. There are limited indications for this type of bridge; this cantilever bridge is used for anterior teeth only and
also patient specific.
Maryland Bridge
A Maryland bridge is also known as a resin-bonded bridge. It is very similar to a cantilever bridge. It consists of a pontic connected 1-2 “wings.” These bridges are unique in that they are attached to the backside of one or two teeth. There is little to no modification to a tooth or teeth. This bridge is more unique because there are many restrictions in using this bridge for a patient.
Call Our Office Today At (219) 462-2564
Dental Bridge Benefits
- Restores your smile by eliminating gaps between your teeth
- Improves your ability to chewing and biting
- Improves your speech
- Distributes biting forces in your jaw for a proper bite
- Prevents shifting of your remaining natural teeth
- Decreases the risk of gum disease
- Prevents a sunken facial appearance that can result from missing teeth
- Is safe and is designed from biocompatible materials
- Is virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth
Dental Bridge Process
Dr. Drone and his dental technicians will take photos of your teeth and draft a personalized sketch to capture the shape of your teeth and all the colors required to make your custom bridge look life-like. Dr. Drone will gently apply anesthetic and then proceed to reshape and polish your teeth. An impression will be taken by using one of our three state-of-the-art digital impression scanners. The impression takes just a few short minutes. These digital scans will instantly be sent to our dental laboratory computers. From there, our talented technicians will begin designing your bridge. Within a few weeks your custom designed bridge will be hand-crafted to blend flawlessly with your natural teeth. In the meantime, a temporary bridge is made to cover and protect your teeth while the new bridge is being fabricated. When you return for the delivery of your bridge, Dr. Drone will evaluate the color, shape and fit of your new custom designed bridge. A dental x-ray is always taken to verify the precise fit
before the bridge is permanently cemented.
Trust Prosthodontists
Dental materials are ever changing and improving, but the clinical skills and knowledge of the dentist makes a significant difference in every outcome in dentistry. Prosthodontics is a recognized dental specialty by the American Dental Association. Prosthodontists have advanced education and training with expertise in: cosmetic dentistry, dental materials, designing dental bridges, review of literature, advanced technology, state-of-the-art techniques, and extensive training in clinical and dental laboratory procedures. Dr. Michael Drone is a prosthodontist and his knowledge and skills aid him in selecting the best material for you whether it is for a dental crown, dental bridge, dental implants, dentures, removable partial dentures, dental bonding and fillings, or for specialized TeethXpress implant dentistry. Michael Drone Dentistry has a well-known reputation for providing excellent dentistry for patients and you will see that our dental bridges will provide you with a superior result.
Candidates For Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are one of several restorative treatments for specific dental concerns. Bridges function to protect and preserve your oral health and restore your confidence in your smile. Candidates requiring a dental bridge must have good general and oral health. Dr. Drone is a prosthodontist with extensive knowledge and training in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and restorative dentistry and is a recognized in Northwest Indiana for creating specialized dental solutions. During a consultation with you can learn more about whether you are a good candidate for a dental bridge or if there is another dental restorative option that can serve your unique dental needs. We invite you to contact Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics today at 219.462.2564.
Services Michael Drone Dentistry & Prosthodontics Offers
Implant Dentistry
Single Tooth Replacement
Multiple Teeth Replacement
Dental Implant Crowns
Dental Implant Bridges
Implant Dentures
Sleep Apnea Therapy
Cosmetic Dentistry
Ceramic Inlays & Onlays
Professional Teeth Whitening
Aesthetic Dental Bonding
Porcelain Veneers
Dental Cleaning Exams
Oral Hygiene and Care
Gum Disease Treatment
Bruxism & TMJ Therapy
Full Mouth Reconstruction
Tooth Extractions
Dental Fillings
Dental Crowns
Dentures
Teeth in an Hour
Root Canal
Emergency
Professional Involvement
We work with a dedicated team of professionals to make sure that your experience is the absolute best it can be. From our friendly front office staff, the assistants who work closely with Dr. Drone, our hygiene staff that helps our patients walk away with beautifully clean teeth and easy-to-understand dental knowledge, to the other specialists we are honored to work with; our knowledgeable dental staff will care for you every step of the way.
Exemplary Patient Outcomes
We understand the importance of having a healthy, comfortable bite. We are able to provide each patient with excellent quality restorative dental solutions. An in-office consultation will allow us to diagnose and determine how your unique needs can best be met through our restorative dental options.