Dental bridges close the gaps between your teeth to restore a healthy, confident smile
Just like an architectural bridge spans a space between two points, dental bridges span the gap between two teeth! At West Suburban Oral Health Care in Naperville, Illinois, we are privileged to offer this time-tested form of tooth replacement to our patients from Wheaton, Warrenville, Glen Ellyn, North Aurora, and the surrounding area.
Get to know dental bridges
Fixed or permanent, secured dental bridges generally require some existing, healthy teeth adjacent to the missing teeth or gaps. Why? The adjacent, neighboring teeth on either side of the space will support the replacement tooth (or teeth). These teeth are crowned for the ultimate in stability and support to the new tooth (or pontic). The crowned abutments anchor the pontic in place.
There are many different designs for conventional dental bridges, making it an option for more patients who may not have neighboring teeth on either side of the gap. However, these designs can have drawbacks as there may not be sufficient support to hold up the pontic over the long haul. Our dentists, Drs Susan Mazzei, and Kelsey Esposito, are happy to discuss the pros and cons of various options with you and new types of bridges that are available courtesy of modern dental technologies and techniques.
A “standard” approach to bridges is reducing and reshaping the anchoring abutment teeth. Impressions or models of these teeth are taken to fabricate the crowns. The crowns are made and then fused or joined to the pontic or replacement tooth, which is also perfectly color-matched to blend in with the neighboring teeth. Once the bridge is completed, it is bonded or secured to the reduced abutments. With the bridge in place, the pontic closes the gap between the teeth! Our bridges are built to last, but we will demonstrate ways to clean underneath the bridge properly and protect the teeth from decay. You may also benefit from special floss or cleaners to remove food particles from hard-to-reach and tight spaces underneath the bridge unit.
A note on dental implants
Bridges may also be supported by dental implants instead of natural teeth that are reduced and crowned. Implants are small cylinders placed in the jawbone. They naturally and safely fuse to the surrounding bone. Once this healing process is completed, the replacement teeth (be it a crown, bridge, or denture) are then connected to the implant. So, the new teeth are “rooted” in the jaw through the replacement tooth root or implant.
Today’s patients with scattered missing teeth are fortunate to have many options to fill their gaps and boost their self-confidence and quality of life. We look forward to working with you to restore your stunning and healthy smile. Call 630-393-3045 to schedule your appointment at our Naperville office.
Dr. Susan Mazzei is committed to delivering compassionate and effective care to patients of all ages and backgrounds in Naperville, Illinois. She is a highly skilled dentist who earned her Certification in Prosthodontics after graduating from Northwestern University Dental School.
After finishing her studies, she enrolled in the Northwestern University Dental School faculty as a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Mazzei believes that optimal dental health begins with education and preventative care and educates patients at West Suburban Oral Healthcare on how to take more control of their oral health, which promotes optimal systemic health.
Dr. Mazzei is dedicated to upgrading her education and being up to date on the newest breakthroughs in oral health and dentistry, ensuring that her patients receive the finest care possible.
Dr. Kelsey Esposito joined West Suburban Oral Health Care as an Associate General Dentist in 2017 after meeting Dr. Mazzei, with whom she shared a belief in providing comprehensive, personalized dental care.
She holds a BA in Economics and Fine Art from Kalamazoo College and a Premedicine Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from Northwestern University. Before entering dentistry, she worked in healthcare advertising and communications for a large ad company and a small non-profit cancer research organization. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from The University of Illinois, Chicago.
Dr. Esposito is a member of several leading professional associations, like the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. Paying attention to detail and offering quality care that makes patients satisfied with their oral health and smiles are her goals.