Dental Bridges in Highland Park

A missing tooth affects more than just the appearance of your smile—it can disrupt your ability to chew comfortably, speak clearly, and maintain proper alignment of your remaining teeth. At Sommerfeld Dentistry, we provide custom, natural-looking dental bridges in Highland Park designed to restore your smile’s function, structural integrity, and confidence.

Whether you need to replace a single missing tooth or a gap of consecutive missing teeth, our restorative solutions are tailored to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth while protecting your long-term oral health.

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What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a fixed, non-removable tooth replacement option designed to fill the space left by one or more missing teeth. The replacement tooth (known as a pontic) is anchored securely in place by supporting teeth on either side of the space, called abutment teeth. These supporting teeth are capped with durable dental crowns to ensure long-lasting stability.

Every bridge is custom-crafted to mirror the shade, shape, and contours of your natural teeth, creating a seamless, fully functional smile.

Key Benefits of Dental Bridges

  • Restores Aesthetic & Function: Fills empty spaces to re-establish a natural-looking smile.
  • Improves Chewing & Speech: Restores full bite power and clear articulation.
  • Prevents Tooth Drifting: Holds neighboring teeth in place to avoid bite misalignment.
  • Protects Facial Structure: Maintains proper jaw support and facial symmetry.
  • Balances Bite Pressure: Prevents excessive wear and tear on remaining teeth.
  • Durable & Reliable: Provides long-term stability using high-quality materials.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

If you are missing one or consecutive teeth and have healthy adjacent teeth with strong bone structure, you may be an ideal candidate for a dental bridge. During your restorative consultation, Dr. Sommerfeld or Dr. Serlin will perform a comprehensive evaluation to establish the best treatment option for your unique goals.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Replacing Missing Teeth

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth naturally begin to tilt and shift into the empty space over time. This movement can result in bite misalignment, elevated stress on remaining teeth, and difficult-to-reach pockets where plaque accumulates.

By replacing missing teeth promptly with a dental bridge, you can prevent:

  • Advanced tooth wear and enamel erosion
  • TMJ (jaw joint) stress and discomfort
  • Higher risk of decay and gum disease caused by misaligned teeth

The Dental Bridge Step-by-Step Procedure

Visit 1: Abutment Preparation & Precision Impressions

During your initial appointment, local anesthesia is administered to keep you completely comfortable. The anchor teeth are prepared by removing a minimal amount of enamel to allow room for the supporting crowns. Next, digital impressions or precise molds are taken to design your custom restoration. A temporary bridge is placed to protect your teeth while your permanent bridge is crafted in the lab.

Visit 2: Custom Placement & Final Bonding

When your permanent bridge is ready, you’ll return to our office to have it evaluated for precise fit, comfortable bite, and natural aesthetics. Once fine-tuned, your bridge is permanently cemented in place, giving you a strong, fully functional smile.

Types of Dental Bridges We Offer

  • Traditional Fixed Bridges: The most common option, supported by crowns placed over healthy abutment teeth on both sides of the gap.
  • Cantilever Bridges: Used when supporting teeth are available on only one side of the missing tooth space.
  • Maryland Bonded Bridges: Utilizes a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the backs of existing adjacent teeth, requiring minimal enamel removal.
  • Implant-Supported Bridges: Anchored directly to dental implants for maximum stability, ideal for extensive tooth loss.

Materials Used for High-Quality Bridges

Modern dental bridges are constructed using highly durable materials designed to handle daily biting forces while matching your enamel’s natural translucency. Common materials include advanced porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, and porcelain fused to metal (PFM).

How to Care for Your Dental Bridge

With correct maintenance and routine preventive dental care, dental bridges typically last 10 to 15 years or longer. Follow these care guidelines to prolong the lifespan of your restoration:

  • Brush twice daily using non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss underneath the pontic daily using a floss threader, super floss, or a water flosser.
  • Schedule routine cleanings and checkups for professional oral hygiene evaluation.
  • Avoid biting directly into hard items like ice, hard candies, or unpopped popcorn kernels.

Restore Your Smile with a Dental Bridge in Highland Park

Don’t let missing teeth compromise your smile or your quality of life. The experienced team at Sommerfeld Dentistry is here to help you rebuild a healthy, functional, and attractive smile. Contact our office today to request your consultation for a custom dental bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges

How long do dental bridges last?

With consistent home oral care, regular dental cleanings, and preventive checkups, a dental bridge typically lasts between 10 and 15 years, and frequently longer.

Is getting a dental bridge painful?

No. Local anesthesia is used to thoroughly numb the area during tooth preparation and fitting. Most patients only experience mild, temporary tenderness in the days following treatment, which is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Can I eat normally with a dental bridge?

Yes. Once your bridge is permanently bonded and you have adjusted to it, you can return to eating all of your favorite foods with improved chewing capability.

How do I clean under a dental bridge?

Since a bridge is fused together, regular floss cannot pass through the top. You can clean underneath the bridge (the pontic) using specialized tools such as floss threaders, interdental brushes, or a water flosser.

Is a dental bridge better than a dental implant?

Both treatment options effectively replace missing teeth. Dental implants replace the missing root structure and do not require modification of adjacent healthy teeth. Bridges offer a faster, non-surgical treatment timeline and are ideal when neighboring teeth already require crowns or bone density is limited.

Will my dental bridge look natural?

Yes. Every bridge is custom designed using advanced ceramic and porcelain materials shade-matched specifically to your natural tooth color, shape, and translucency.