Dental Bridges in Chicago, IL

Dental bridges offer a proven solution for replacing one or more missing teeth by literally bridging the gap between healthy teeth on either side of the space. This time-tested restoration connects artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants, creating a seamless replacement that restores both function and appearance to your smile.

At Sonrisa Family Dental, our Chicago family dentists create custom dental bridges that blend naturally with your existing teeth while providing the strength and durability you need for comfortable chewing and confident speaking. Our experienced team serves patients throughout the Chicago area, helping restore complete smiles with high-quality bridge restorations.

Understanding How Dental Bridges Work

A dental bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth called pontics, which are anchored by crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap. These supporting teeth, called abutments, provide the foundation that keeps your bridge securely in place during normal function.

The artificial teeth in your bridge are custom-crafted to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth. This attention to detail ensures your bridge integrates seamlessly with your smile while providing the chewing surface you need for proper nutrition and digestion.

Types of Dental Bridges

Different bridge designs address various clinical situations and patient needs. Understanding your options helps you make informed decisions about your tooth replacement treatment.

Traditional bridges use crowns on the teeth adjacent to the missing space to support the artificial replacement teeth. This design works well when the supporting teeth can benefit from dental crowns or already have large fillings that compromise their strength.

Cantilever bridges attach to teeth on only one side of the gap, making them suitable for areas where only one adjacent tooth is available for support. Maryland bridges use metal or porcelain wings bonded to the back of adjacent teeth, preserving more natural tooth structure.

Benefits of Choosing Dental Bridges

Dental bridges provide numerous advantages that improve both your oral health and quality of life. Understanding these benefits helps you appreciate why bridges remain a popular tooth replacement option after decades of successful use.

Missing teeth create problems that extend beyond the obvious gap in your smile. Adjacent teeth tend to drift into empty spaces, creating bite problems and making cleaning more difficult. Bridges prevent this unwanted tooth movement while restoring proper chewing function.

Immediate Functional Restoration

Unlike some tooth replacement options that require months of healing, bridges provide immediate restoration of your chewing ability and speech clarity. You can eat your favorite foods and speak with confidence as soon as your bridge is placed.

Natural Appearance

Modern bridge materials and techniques create restorations that look completely natural. Porcelain and other tooth-colored materials can be precisely matched to your existing teeth, making your bridge virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Durability and Longevity

Well-maintained bridges typically last 10-15 years or longer with proper care. This longevity makes bridges a cost-effective investment in your oral health and smile appearance over time.

The Bridge Placement Process

Creating your custom dental bridge requires careful planning and precise execution to ensure optimal fit, function, and appearance. The process typically involves several appointments spaced over a few weeks to allow for proper healing and laboratory fabrication.

During your initial consultation, we evaluate your oral health and discuss your treatment goals. Digital imaging and impressions help us plan your bridge design and determine if any preliminary treatments are needed before bridge placement.

Tooth Preparation

The first treatment appointment involves preparing the abutment teeth that will support your bridge. We carefully reshape these teeth to accommodate the crowns that will anchor your bridge, removing just enough tooth structure to ensure proper fit and strength.

After preparation, we take detailed impressions of your prepared teeth and the surrounding area. These impressions guide our dental laboratory in creating your custom bridge with a precise fit and natural appearance.

Temporary Bridge Protection

We place a temporary bridge to protect your prepared teeth and maintain your appearance while your permanent restoration is being fabricated. This temporary bridge allows you to eat and speak normally during the fabrication period.

Final Bridge Placement

At your final appointment, we remove the temporary bridge and carefully evaluate the fit and appearance of your permanent restoration. We check your bite alignment and make any necessary adjustments before permanently cementing your bridge in place.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

Proper bridge maintenance ensures optimal longevity and prevents complications that could compromise your restoration or supporting teeth. The key to successful bridge care lies in maintaining excellent oral hygiene around and under your restoration.

Regular brushing removes plaque and bacteria from the bridge surface and the junction where the bridge meets your natural teeth. Special floss threaders or water flossers help clean under the bridge, where food particles and bacteria can accumulate.

Bridge Materials and Options

Modern dentistry offers several bridge materials, each with specific advantages depending on your needs, budget, and aesthetic requirements. We help you choose the best option based on the location of your missing teeth and your personal preferences.

All-Porcelain Bridges

Porcelain bridges provide the most natural appearance and work especially well for front teeth where aesthetics are most important. These bridges can be precisely color-matched to your existing teeth and offer excellent stain resistance.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Bridges

These bridges combine the strength of a metal framework with the natural appearance of porcelain. The metal substructure provides exceptional durability, while the porcelain overlay ensures an attractive appearance that blends with your natural teeth.

Gold and Metal Alloy Bridges

Metal bridges offer superior strength and longevity, making them ideal for back teeth where chewing forces are greatest. While less aesthetically pleasing than porcelain options, they require minimal tooth preparation and rarely chip or fracture.

Insurance Coverage and Financial Options

Most dental insurance plans provide significant coverage for bridges when they replace missing teeth that affect function or oral health. We work with your insurance company to maximize your benefits and help you understand your coverage.

We accept most major insurance plans, including medical card insurance, and offer flexible financing options to make bridge treatment affordable. Our team reviews all costs and payment options before treatment begins, ensuring complete transparency about your investment.

Restore Your Complete Smile at Sonrisa Family Dental

Missing teeth don’t have to compromise your oral health, nutrition, or confidence. Our skilled team at Sonrisa Family Dental creates beautiful, durable bridges that restore your complete smile while providing the function you need for comfortable eating and clear speaking. We use only the highest quality materials and proven techniques to ensure your bridge serves you well for many years.

Don’t let missing teeth limit your quality of life any longer. Schedule your consultation online to learn how dental bridges can restore your smile and improve your oral health for years to come.