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Dental Bridges

Repair your smile and improve your oral health.

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Location

1700 Eagle Harbor PKWY East, Orange Park, FL 32003

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What We Offer

Our Dental Bridge Services

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Preparation

We may need to prepare your teeth for the bridge, which may involve removing some of a tooth.

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Impressions

To make sure the bridge fits properly, we take impressions so it’s custom-made to fit your teeth.

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Fitting

Once the bridge has been made, we’ll fit it to your teeth to make sure that it is the right fit.

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Follow-Up

We’ll schedule follow-up appointments with you to be certain that the bridge is placed correctly.

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Bridge Placement

After we know it fits properly, we’ll place the bridge onto your teeth and affix it with dental cement.

Expert Care

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a dental appliance that replaces a missing tooth. A bridge can replace just one tooth or multiple teeth and is anchored to either the teeth on either side of the gap or to another dental appliance.

Is a Dental Bridge Right for You?

Close up of a Porcelain Teeth

Why is it important to replace a missing tooth? Well, it not only improves the look of your smile but also contributes to better dental health. If you’ve lost a tooth, a bridge is one option to help provide support that may actually prevent future dental issues. After a consultation, a dental professional can help decide which option is best for you.

What’s the Purpose of a Bridge?

Each tooth has its own important role. Some are used for biting or chewing, others give shape to your face. When one is missing, the support that your teeth provide for each other is compromised. Before long, your remaining teeth, jaw joints, and/or gums will show evidence of breakdown, leading to a variety of cosmetic and functional problems. A bridge, or “artificial tooth,” can prevent these issues.

Types of Bridges

There are three main types of bridges: traditional bridges, Maryland bonded bridges, and Cantilever bridges.

Traditional Bridges

Traditional bridges are the most common type and consist of metal, porcelain, or ceramic. Crowns are made for the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, which hold the suspended portion of the bridge, or the pontic, in place.

Maryland Bonded Bridges

These bridges consist of plastic teeth and gums that are upheld by a metal frame. Metal wings on each side bond to your teeth to hold the bridge in place. This option is better for front teeth, as it can eliminate the need to grind down the teeth that surround the missing tooth in question.

Cantilever Bridges

These bridges are used if there’s only one supporting tooth beside side the missing tooth. These bridges still use two crowns to anchor the artificial tooth in place, but both crowns are on the same side. Cantilever bridges are just as stable and last just as long as traditional bridges. In some cases, they may even be more aesthetically pleasing.

How it works

How Bridges Are Placed

The process of placing a bridge can take multiple visits. Here are the steps involved in creating and placing a bridge.

Step 1:

Consultation

The first step is to schedule an appointment for a consultation. In this appointment, we’ll discuss your options. A bridge can be an excellent choice for fixing a missing tooth, but it isn’t the only one. We want to make sure that you’re getting the best possible treatment and discussing your goals and choices will help us do that.

Step 2:

Preparation

During the first visit, the teeth are prepared for the bridge, which may consist of grinding them down to create room for crowns.

Step 3:

Impressions

We’ll take impressions of your teeth and send those off to a lab that will create a customized bridge designed to fit your teeth perfectly.

Step 4:

Temporary Bridge

In the first appointment, we’ll fit a temporary bridge over your teeth and gums so you can function normally while we’re waiting for your permanent bridge.

Step 5:

Fitting the Bridge

During the second visit, the permanent bridge is placed, but not permanently secured. Several follow-up visits are scheduled so that the fit and function can be checked first.

Step 6:

Securing the Bridge

Once we’re sure of the fit and function of the bridge, we’ll permanently secure it. After that, all you have to do is take care of it and it can last you up to 15 years.

Step 7:

Maintaining the Bridge

This step is up to you. You’ll need to brush and floss daily and clean underneath the bridge in order to keep it in good condition.

Step 8:

Replace the Bridge

Eventually, you may need a bridge replacement. We’ll start again with impressions to create a new bridge for you that is the right fit for your teeth.

Our Doctors

Meet our Family of Dentists

Dr. Standish has been serving Clay County patients at Eagle Harbor Dental for over 40 years. His daughters Dr. Kelly & Dr. Erin joined the practice and they’ve been creating beautiful smiles as a family ever since. With extensive educations and memberships, our dentists are the best that Fleming Island has to offer.

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Dr. Standish, Dr. Kelly, and Dr. Erin
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Insurance We Accept

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many appointments does it take to get a dental bridge?

A dental bridge usually takes two appointments to administer. On your first visit, our dentists will determine that a bridge is the right choice for you by assessing your teeth and taking X-Rays. Once you have decided on the treatment plan, a temporary bridge will be cemented. About two weeks later, you’ll come back for the removal of the temporary bridge and the cementation of the permanent bridge.

How do I take care of and clean my dental bridge?

Your normal oral hygiene routine won’t be strongly affected by your new dental bridge. We still recommend daily flossing and brushing, but the flossing may require you to floss underneath the bridge to keep the area clean. Your dentist and dental hygienist will show you the proper way to do this during your final appointment.

How long do dental bridges last for?

With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your dental bridge should last anywhere between 10-15 years.

Do I have to take my dental bridge out at night?

A dental bridge is permanent, meaning you never remove it.

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(904) 269-6558

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