A bridge is a combination of dental crowns and artificial teeth. Bridges can close the gap left by one or more missing teeth by extending across an area that has no teeth. They are typically made up of an artificial tooth fused between two dental crowns. Dental crown and bridge treatment restores the look of your smile and redistributes the workload amongst your teeth more evenly.

There are four different types of bridges:

• Traditional bridges are used if there are natural teeth on each side of the gap where the tooth is missing.
• Implant bridges are used if you don’t have healthy teeth or enough teeth to support a bridge, or when several or all teeth are missing. It’s also a perfect solution to help you keep your healthy teeth untouched by a crown. A custom-made bridge is anchored to the dental implants instead of to your natural teeth.
• Resin-bonded bridges (also known as "Maryland" bridges) are used when the missing teeth are in the front of the mouth. This type of bridge involves the artificial teeth being fused together to metal bands and are affixed to the back of your natural teeth.
• Cantilever bridges are used when there are healthy teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. This procedure involves anchoring the artificial tooth over one or more of your natural adjacent teeth.

Similar to dental crowns, if you take proper care of your bridge by flossing and brushing every day they should last for about 10 years. Call today for your no-obligation consultation to find out which type of dental crown or bridge is right for your smile!

What is a dental implant?
An implant is a biocompatible metal root that we put in your jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. When it’s fully healed, we finish your treatment with a dental crown.

How do I know if implants are for me?
Implants are so versatile that they can replace teeth, support a bridge, or provide support to dentures.

Will my implants look natural?
Completely. You can eat, speak, and socialize with ease. Nobody will know unless you tell them.

Are dental implants safe?
Definitely. They’ve been the gold standard for tooth replacement for more than 50 years and you can expect a 98% success rate.

Do implants require special after-care?
No. They look, feel, and act like your regular teeth and require the same homecare to keep them healthy.

Are age and health important factors?
Age isn’t a factor. Most people in good overall and oral health are excellent candidates.

How long will implants last?
Designed to be permanent, more than 90% last for twenty years or more.

If you’d like to know more about dental implants or the many other dental services we offer to keep your smile healthy and beautiful, call today for a consultation. We’d love to meet you!

When you’re looking for teeth whitening in Fleming Island, you have many choices – and you may be tempted to just purchase off-the-shelf whitening products at the local pharmacy because they seem cheaper than a customized option available from us. In most cases though, off-the-shelf teeth whitening kits will not give you the results you’re looking for. Results could range from unnaturally super-white teeth or teeth that are still drab and discolored.

At Family Smiles of Fleming Island, we customize a treatment plan with consideration of your unique smile needs, and then prescribe your teeth-whitening solution based on these needs. With us, you’ll achieve natural results quickly and safely.

When you’re in next, ask us about teeth whitening, and if you’re new to us, give us a call and we’ll set up your consultation.