Dental Bridges in Summerville, SC
A missing tooth is rarely just a cosmetic concern. Even a single gap in your arch can shift neighboring teeth out of alignment, change the way you bite and chew, and, over time, contribute to bone loss in the jaw beneath the empty space. The longer a gap goes untreated, the more complicated the restoration becomes. A dental bridge addresses the problem directly, filling the space with a fixed, functional tooth replacement that stabilizes your bite and restores your smile.
At Old Trolley Dental Associates, bridges are one of the most commonly placed restorations we provide. Dr. Skovira has pointed to restorative dentistry and missing tooth replacement as a central focus of the practice, and our team is experienced in delivering bridges that look natural and hold up to the demands of daily use.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
A traditional dental bridge works by anchoring an artificial tooth, called a pontic, between two dental crowns placed on the natural teeth on either side of the gap. For this to work well, those neighboring teeth need to be healthy enough to support the restoration. Bridges are most commonly recommended when one or a few adjacent teeth are missing, the surrounding teeth are structurally sound, and the patient wants a fixed, non-removable solution.
According to the American Dental Association’s consumer resource MouthHealthy, the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth, and a missing tooth left unaddressed can cause remaining teeth to shift and bone loss to occur. A bridge prevents exactly that kind of downstream deterioration by occupying the space and distributing chewing forces the way a natural tooth would.
How a Dental Bridge Is Placed
The process typically takes two appointments. At first, the abutment teeth on either side of the gap are prepared by removing a small amount of enamel to allow the supporting crowns to fit properly. Digital impressions are taken and used to design and fabricate your custom bridge at a dental laboratory. Temporary restorations are placed to protect the prepared teeth in the meantime.
When the bridge is ready, you return for the second appointment to have it seated, adjusted, and permanently cemented. The result is a fixed restoration that does not come in and out and requires no special removal for cleaning. With proper care, including thorough brushing, flossing under the bridge with a floss threader or water flosser, and routine dental visits, a well-made bridge can last many years.
Bridges Compared to Other Tooth Replacement Options
Dental bridges are one of several approaches to replacing missing teeth, and the right choice depends on factors specific to each patient. Understanding the differences helps patients make an informed decision.
A bridge is a good fit when healthy abutment teeth are present, and the patient prefers a fixed solution without surgery. For patients who want to avoid any reduction of adjacent teeth, dental implants offer a freestanding replacement that does not rely on neighboring teeth at all and helps preserve jawbone over time. For patients missing many teeth, dentures or partial dentures may be more practical. During your consultation, Dr. Kibler or Dr. Skovira will evaluate the health of your remaining teeth and bone, review your goals, and walk you through which option is most appropriate for your situation.
Restore Your Smile With Old Trolley Dental Associates in Summerville, SC
At Old Trolley, bridges are not a secondary offering. Restorative care and missing tooth replacement are a central focus of the practice, and Dr. Kibler and Dr. Skovira bring that same focus to every bridge case they see. As a single-location, two-doctor practice, patients work directly with one of the doctors from consultation through final placement. There is no rotating associate staff, no uncertainty about who is treating you. Dr. Kibler has been practicing in Summerville since 2006, and Dr. Skovira joined full-time in 2015. You can meet our doctors to learn more about their backgrounds before your first visit.
If you have a missing tooth and want to find out whether a bridge is the right solution for your situation, we are glad to help. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kibler or Dr. Skovira in Summerville, SC.