Missing teeth can significantly impact your oral health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Whether you have lost a tooth due to injury or periodontal disease, you should address the gap promptly to prevent further dental issues. 

One effective solution for missing teeth is a dental bridge, which offers benefits such as preserving the aesthetics of your smile. 

Restores Functionality

One of the primary benefits of dental bridges is the restoration of proper function. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew and speak clearly. A dental bridge fills the gap with a prosthetic tooth (or teeth), allowing you to eat and speak with confidence again. 

This restoration of function can significantly improve your quality of life. It can enable you to enjoy your favorite foods and communicate effectively.

Prevents Teeth Shifting

When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth may start to shift into space. It can lead to misalignment and bite issues. This can cause further complications, such as uneven wear on your teeth, jaw pain, and difficulty cleaning between teeth. 

It also increases the risk of cavities and periodontal disease (gum disease). Dental bridges prevent this shifting by maintaining the natural position of your remaining teeth.

Maintains Facial Structure

Missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw over time, which may result in a sunken facial appearance and an older appearance. Dental bridges help maintain the structure of your jawbone and the overall shape of your face, providing the necessary support to the surrounding teeth and tissues.

Durable and Long-Lasting

Dental bridges are made from strong, durable materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys. With proper care and regular dental check-ups, a dental bridge can last many years. It can provide a reliable and effective solution for missing teeth.

Book Your Dental Bridges Consultation in Mount Pleasant, MI

Dental bridges offer numerous benefits for those dealing with missing teeth. They provide a reliable, long-lasting solution that can significantly improve your oral health and overall quality of life. 

If you are considering a dental bridge, contact us at 989-773-3560 and schedule a consultation with Kenneth Egger, DDS. Let us help you restore your smile and confidence with a custom dental bridge.

Extraction is the best way to preserve the gums and surrounding teeth when teeth are damaged beyond repair. However, being left with gaps in your mouth can cause serious functional problems that complicate basic tasks like eating and speaking. One option to consider for restoring your teeth is a dental bridge.

A common concern patients have about dental treatment is pain or discomfort. You may have heard that dentures can cause gum irritation and discomfort and wondered if bridges are similar. Luckily, there is no irritation from bridges as these are fixed to the surrounding teeth. When treatment is complete, your dental bridges will function as natural teeth.

Restore Missing Teeth Without Implants

When you have a missing tooth between two natural teeth, a bridge works by placing an artificial tooth between them; the real teeth are covered with crowns to serve as anchors for the bridge.

Dental bridges are an excellent choice if you are looking for a budget-friendly solution to replace a lost tooth. However, it is important to note that while they can restore function and improve your smile’s appearance, they do not prevent bone loss.

For this reason, you may get a bridge while awaiting an implant. Patients with multiple missing teeth can also use two implants to make a bridge.

How Long Does the Process Take?

For a dental bridge placed on natural teeth, treatment takes two to three visits that last one-and-a-half to two hours each. Those who need dental implants first will have to wait several months between treatments to ensure the implants have had adequate time to fuse to the jaw bone.

Patients with several missing teeth may also want to consider a partial denture; your dentist can suggest the best solution for your smile.

Schedule a Dental Bridge Consultation in Mt. Pleasant, MI

Dr. Kenneth Egger is proud to manage Mount Pleasant Dentistry. Since 1996, he has provided unwavering care to patients throughout the area for their general and restorative dental needs.

Please call the office at 989-773-3560 or submit an online form to request an appointment.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’ve got plenty of company.

Adults in the U.S. lose an average of eight permanent teeth (not counting wisdom teeth) by the age of 50, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. That’s why dental bridges — the most common solution for replacing missing teeth — are one of the most common and popular dental procedures.

These realistic prosthetics restore functionality to your teeth and confidence to your smile. However, not all dental bridges are the same. Let’s look at the options available here at Kenneth Egger, D.D.S.

Traditional Dental Bridges

A traditional dental bridge requires the presence of healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth.

This type of bridge comprises three crowns: the pontic, or synthetic tooth, which replaces the missing tooth, as well as two abutment crowns, which fit over the adjacent teeth.

The placement of a traditional bridge involves two stages. In the first stage, a dentist removes enamel from the neighboring teeth, and makes a mold of the treatment area for creating the bridge.

Then the permanent bridge is fitted, adjusted for comfort and function, and finally cemented in place. With proper care and maintenance, a patient can expect these bridges to last for years.

Resin Bonded Dental Bridge

A Resin Bonded Dental Bridge (also known as a “Maryland” bridge) uses metal bands and dental bonding resin to attach the pontic to adjacent teeth.

Dentists position the metal bands on the backside of the support teeth for a more organic appearance. Unlike traditional bridges, this type doesn’t require extensive preparation of the adjacent teeth.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

If you’ve got dense jaw bones, then implant-supported bridges might be the best option for you.

In this case, dentists surgically place titanium implants in the jawbone, where they fuse with the bone during healing. Porcelain crowns are then attached to the implants, creating a resistant, long-lasting bridge that closely mimics natural teeth.

Cantilever Dental Bridge

This type of bridge is used when there is no support tooth available on one side of the missing tooth. A common example of this would be a missing back molar.

The Cantilevel Dental Bridge consists of two crowns placed next to each other, with the pontic on the end. Some cantilever bridges use only one crown, as well as the pontic.

Get Your Dental Bridges With Kenneth Egger, D.D.S.

It takes a skilled dentist to ascertain which bridge is best for your circumstances, so it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced professional like Dr. Kenneth Egger, D.D.S.

To learn more, please call us today to schedule a consultation or call us at (989) 773-3560. Our practice serves Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and surrounding areas.

Your teeth are more than just tools you use to chew your food. They’re also an integral part of a confident smile and jaw health. However, decay is natural and sometimes can get the best of us. When this happens, teeth can rot and are usually treated with fillings and crowns. Unfortunately, that decay can be severe enough to where fillings and crowns aren’t effective.

When this happens, it’s often best to get a dental bridge. Dental bridges are a form of implant that ‘bridges’ the gap between natural teeth with a small, artificial implant designed to replace a few teeth. However, not all dental bridges are the same. Let’s delve into the difference between resin-bonded and cantilever dental bridges so you can decide which of them best fits your oral health needs.

Resin Bonded

This form of dental bridge uses bands of metal and resin to bond artificial teeth to nearby natural teeth. The metal bands are connected on the back of the teeth to be more discreet. This form of dental bridge is quicker and does not require any form of crown. Resin-bonded dental bridges are more common when replacing front teeth.

Cantilever

Cantilever dental bridges are similar to traditional bridges. The primary difference is that cantilever bridges are used for single-tooth anchors. This is where a patient only has one tooth where the bridge can attach. An example of when a single-tooth anchor would be used is a back tooth where there is only one point of attachment. The bridge uses two crowns to support the bridge on the single side of the attachment. Sometimes just one crown is used, depending on the situation.

Putting Your Best Smile Forward

As mentioned before, your teeth are a crucial part of your smile and your oral health. Thankfully, Dr. Kenneth Egger understands the value of not only keeping your teeth but also enhancing them. With over 28 years of experience, you can trust Dr. Egger’s expertise in giving you the smile you deserve. Contact Dr. Egger’s team at 989-773-3560 if you’re ready to take that first step toward oral success.

Dr. Kenneth Egger is a dedicated professional in the Mount Pleasant, MI area who provider restorative dental procedures to assist patients after experiencing tooth loss or extraction. While there are many options available to patients to choose from for replacing one or more teeth, one popular option is that of the partial denture. But why might a patient choose a partial denture over a dental bridge? What makes a partial denture a reliable and affordable option for patients? Our team can help by making the following recommendations, providing you with the information you need to make an educated decision regarding the restoration of your smile.

What are partial dentures and dental bridges?

A partial denture is a restoration that is made to replace one or several teeth in the dental arch using false teeth fused to a metal and acrylic frame. The partial denture is an appliance that snaps into place with the existing teeth and places the false teeth right where they are needed in the spaces left behind. A dental bridge, on the other hand, replaces one or more teeth in a row. False teeth referred to by our team as pontics are fused together along with dental crowns on each side. The crowns are placed over the adjacent teeth for support, thus “bridging the gap” and replacing the missing teeth as needed. Both are options available to you at the office of Dr. Kenneth Egger.

Why might I choose a partial denture over a dental bridge?

• Partial dentures are removable, making them easier to clean than dental bridges.
• Partial dentures are less expensive than dental bridges.
• Partial dentures can be used to replace more than one missing tooth.
• Dental bridges require the removal of healthy teeth to support the bridge.
• Partial dentures are less likely to cause complications than dental bridges.

Schedule a visit with Dr. Kenneth Egger today to learn more about dentures

If you are considering full or partial dentures to replace one or more teeth in the smile, connect with Dr. Kenneth Egger and his team today to request a consultation visit. We are open to new and returning patients who call our office at 989-773-3560 to request an appointment.

A Bridge Over Troubled Gaps

When you’re missing a tooth or teeth, you have a few options to fill the gap: partial dentures, a fixed bridge, or dental implants.

The one option you don’t really have is to leave the gap in your smile. We covered that in August’s second blog, but leaving a gap in your smile has many downsides beyond simple cosmetic issues.

Dr. Egger feels dental implants are the best option for replacing a single tooth or two, but some patients prefer to have a bridge instead. It may seem that dental bridges are so 1950, but that’s not the case. Dental bridges provide an effective method for replacing a tooth or even a series of missing teeth.

A fixed bridge

Dr. Egger generally uses fixed bridges rather than removable bridges. Fixed bridges tend to be stronger and more durable.

A bridge, as the name implies, simply spans the gap of your missing teeth and is anchored on each side. Across the bridge are pontics (false teeth) in place of your actual missing teeth. In a fixed bridge, we use the teeth on both sides of the gap, called the abutments, as anchors. Dr. Egger removes portions of these teeth on all sides and the top, making room to place a crown on each. Porcelain crowns then are placed over those two teeth. These crowns are attached to the underlying metal framework, acrylic resin (to replicate gum tissue), and the artificial teeth. The finished bridge is a single piece and it is custom-made at a dental lab to fit impressions we take after we prepare the teeth for crowns. Bridges can be made of porcelain or ceramic.

How long does a bridge last?

The bridge and the crowns that hold it can last a lifetime if you practice good oral hygiene. If you do not, the teeth holding the bridge can become decayed and the bridge can become loose. Also, it helps if you pay attention to what you eat, to a degree. For instance, munching on really sticky caramels or very hard foods could cause your bridge to come loose or to break. The average lifespan for a bridge is 10-20 years.

If you have a missing tooth or teeth, Dr. Egger can fill the gap with a dental bridge. Call us at (989) 773-3560 to make an appointment.

Bridge the Gap of Those Missing Teeth

Dr. Egger loves dental implants for tooth replacement…almost as much as Detroit loves Gordie Howe. And what’s not to love? Because they are anchored into the jawbone, dental implants function exactly like a natural tooth. You can eat anything you want without worry. Plus, they last forever — implants are the longest lasting dental prosthetic, often lasting the remainder of the patient’s life.

But some people are missing two or three teeth in one spot. Implants may be more involved than they feel they can handle. They may be too expensive. Or the patient’s jawbone may not have enough mass to support the implants.

In these cases, Dr. Egger replaces the missing teeth with a dental bridge. It may not be as dramatic as the Mackinaw Bridge, but Dr. Egger’s bridges will make your smile look great.

What is a dental bridge?

As the name implies, a dental bridge spans the gap created by a missing tooth or teeth. Like a bridge you drive across, a dental bridge has three parts: two crowns (called the abutment teeth) on each side of the gap and the span in the middle. In this case the span is an artificial tooth or teeth (called the pontics). Bridges are made as a single piece and are permanently cemented onto the two abutment teeth.

This is a description of a traditional bridge, but “cantilever bridges” are used when there are healthy teeth for anchoring on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. “Maryland bridges” are used on the front teeth.

How is a bridge placed?

Bridge placement, like crowns, requires two appointments. During your first appointment, Dr. Egger prepares the two abutment teeth for their crowns. To do so, he removes a portion of the healthy teeth on all sides and on the top. This makes room for the crown to sit atop the tooth, but occupy the same space. Once the teeth are prepared, we take impressions for the lab to use to make your porcelain bridge.

When your new bridge is delivered to our offices, you come back in. First, Dr. Egger checks the bridge to see how the crowns and artificial tooth or teeth match your natural teeth. Then we’ll test the fit. If you prefer, we can place the bridge with temporary cement and you can test it out for a couple of days. Or, if you’re satisfied with the fit, Dr. Egger will permanently cement the crowns onto your teeth.

What is the lifespan of a bridge? Do they need special care?

The life of a bridge is usually dependent upon the health of the abutment teeth. If they remain healthy, a bridge can last up to 15 years or longer. Bridges really only need brushing just like your other teeth.

Want to finally get around to replacing those missing teeth? A dental bridge is a great solution. Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to make an appointment.

There are bridges like the one that connects the U.P. with the rest of Michigan, the famed Mackinaw Bridge. Then there’s the bridge where partners drive each other crazy when they bid their hands poorly.

And then there are the bridges that Dr. Egger is famous for — those that replace a tooth or a couple of teeth. Dental bridges are an option for replacing missing or badly damaged teeth, rescuing your smile from a gap-filled future.

Why replace a missing tooth?

People lose teeth for all kinds of reasons. The pond hockey rule of no puck lifting was broken by one player and your tooth paid the price. A tooth was so badly decayed that it couldn’t be saved and was extracted. A tooth had a crack that compromised the strength of the tooth to the degree that it had to be extracted.

Some people who lose a tooth or two opt to not replace the teeth, but that’s a bad idea. Why? When there isn’t pressure from an adjacent tooth, the teeth on both sides of a gap tend to slide over into the gap. As you would assume, this messes up your alignment and often your bite. Also, not replacing a tooth puts extra pressure on the surrounding teeth when biting and chewing. Plus, it looks bad and can make you self-conscious.

What is a bridge?

A bridge is usually a single-piece prosthetic. It includes two crowns on the teeth on both sides of the gap, combined with a false tooth or teeth to replace the missing tooth or teeth. In the middle.

How does Dr. Egger place a traditional bridge?

Getting a bridge is a two-visit process. Still, that’s a lot easier than building the Brooklyn Bridge! During the first visit, Dr. Egger prepares the abutment teeth (the teeth on each side of the missing tooth) to receive their crowns. This involves removing enamel from all four sides and the top of the healthy teeth. This is necessary to make room for the crown. The crowns will cover both teeth all the way down to the gumline. Once the enamel has been shaved down, Dr. Egger will make impressions of your teeth. These are then sent off to the dental lab to create your bridge, which takes one to two weeks. While waiting for the bridge to be finished, Dr. Egger places a temporary bridge on your teeth.

When your bridge is finished, you return for your second appointment. Dr. Egger adjusts the fit and checks the color match with your other teeth. Once both you and he are satisfied, he cements it onto your teeth permanently.

If you’ve lost a few teeth, it’s best to support your bridge with dental implants. This adds support when too many teeth are missing in a row for the use of a traditional bridge.

Mackinaw isn’t the only bridge of note. Dr. Egger’s bridges are just as architecturally striking! Call him today at 989-773-3560 and let’s talk about filling that gap in your smile.

When they had to connect the U.P. with the rest of Michigan they opted for a bridge, a great big one called the Mackinaw Bridge.

When you want to span a missing tooth or two, you can also opt for a bridge with Dr. Egger. And since research shows that adults lose an average of one or two permanent teeth before the age of 50, there’s a real need for some bridge building.

What is a dental bridge?

A bridge consists of three crowns that are all attached to each other in a row. They are usually set in either porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. The tooth in the middle, to add a foreign-sounding word, is called a pontic. The other two crowns are typical crowns, but not thorny, and will fit over the existing teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. These teeth, to add another intriguing word, are called the abutment teeth.

How does Dr. Egger place a bridge?

Bridge placement, while much easier than placing the Brooklyn Bridge, does involve two stages. Dr. Egger first examines your adjacent teeth and takes x-rays to be sure they are fit to anchor the bridge. Next he prepares the abutment teeth by removing enamel from all four sides and the top of both teeth. By doing this he makes room to place a crown over each abutment tooth, retaining the same overall width of the original tooth. After shaving down the two abutment teeth, Dr. Egger makes impressions of your teeth for the custom fabrication of your bridge by a dental lab. To protect the two abutment teeth while waiting for your bridge to be made, Dr. Egger will place a temporary bridge on your teeth.

Once the bridge is finished, you’ll return for a second appointment. Dr. Egger adjusts your bridge for maximum comfort and function. If you choose, you can wear the bridge with temporary adhesive so that you’re sure you like the fit. Or, if you’re satisfied, Dr. Egger will cement the bridge onto your teeth permanently.

When this is complete, Dr. Egger will give you detailed instructions for the cleaning and flossing around your bridge to ensure you don’t let food and bacteria build up in any of the gaps or small crevices.

How long do bridges last?

Dental bridges can last from 5-15 years and even longer. The key is good oral hygiene and regular checkups with Dr. Egger.

If you’re missing a tooth or two, call us at 989-773-3560 and let’s see about a dental bridge.

A Bridge Not Too Far

It’s estimated that roughly 70% of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 have at least one missing tooth. These people may have lost a tooth to injury or decay and thought they’d take care of it later. But as time passed, the logic for replacing the tooth became cloudy and the person just left the gap.

There are a few problems with that line of thinking. First, if the missing tooth is in a visible location, it can cause a person to sub-consciously avoid smiling to cover the flaw. Second, no matter where the gap, the adjacent teeth try to slide over and fill the gap. This is because there is no longer any pressure keeping the teeth in place. This movement can seriously mess up not only the alignment of your teeth, but your bite. Third, missing teeth above mean deteriorating jawbone below. Without teeth to transfer bite force energy down into the jawbone below, that jawbone tends to deteriorate over time.

A bridge can be an effective way for Dr. Egger to fill that gap and maintain your smile and your bite.

What can be done with a bridge?

A bridge can be used to restore one, two, or three missing teeth in a row. A partial denture can also accomplish this, and dental implants can replace one or two missing teeth. But, as long as the teeth on both sides of the gap are healthy, a bridge is a popular choice.

A bridge is made up of an artificial tooth, also called a pontic, that is surrounded on each side by a crown. The crowns are placed atop the healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. These are called the abutment teeth. Porcelain and porcelain fused to metal are the most common materials in dental bridges.

Other types of bridges

Other than the traditional bridge described above, Dr. Egger creates other types of bridges:

Cantilever bridge — This type of bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, but is used in cases where there is only support on one side of the bridge (for instance when a person is missing a back molar). Usually two consecutive teeth are crowned on the one side.

Resin-bonded bridge — Unlike bridges where crowns hold the pontic between, in this type of bridge metal bands and dental bonding resin attach the pontic to the adjacent teeth. The metal bands are positioned on the backside of the support teeth to make them less noticeable. This type of bridge is often used to fill a gap in the front teeth.

Implant-supported bridges — In these bridges, one or more titanium implants are placed into the jawbone where they fuse into the bone. These implants then provide the support for the bridge. These are the strongest type of bridge.

If you’re missing a tooth or teeth, call Dr. Egger at 989-773-3560 and let’s talk about a dental bridge.