Dental Bridges

Is a missing tooth complicating your life? The truth is it could also be setting the stage for future dental problems.

With locations in Greenville and Plymouth, NC, Earp Dentistry can replace your tooth and protect your dental health with a dental bridge.

To satisfy our patients' needs, we offer customized traditional and implant-supported bridges.

What Sets Us Apart

What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a row of artificial teeth, often referred to as pontics, that stand-in for missing teeth. They restore your smile and give you same the healthy bite and function as natural teeth.

We design our bridges out of high-quality dental materials that reflect light like natural tooth enamel. They are carefully color-matched to your remaining teeth so the crowns and pontics blend in seamlessly. To meet the diverse needs of our patients, Earp Dentistry offers two types of dental bridges.

Traditional Bridge

A traditional bridge is supported by the natural teeth, which are shaped to accept dental crowns, located at each end of the bridge. Traditional bridges are a time-proven technique for replacing missing teeth and, with proper care, can last five to 15 years or longer. If you already have a cantilever bridge, now is a good time to consider upgrading to a traditional bridge.

Illustration of an implant-supported dental bridge

Implant-Supported Bridge

Instead of being supported by natural teeth, this pontic is held in place by dental implants. Implants are small posts, typically titanium, that are surgically inserted into the jaw. The beauty of dental implant-supported restorations is that they replace the missing tooth and roots. This is key for continued health since the implants stimulate restorative jawbone growth.

How Does an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge Work?

How Do I Choose the Right Dental Bridge? Request a Consultation

Time to replace your old cantilever bridge? Deciding which type of dental bridge is ideal for your situation requires a consultation. While dental implants offer the most tooth-like restoration, patients need to be examined to determine if they have the right bone density and if they are in good general health.

The first step to determine what is right for you is requesting a consultation. Earp Dentistry has convenient locations in both Greenville and Plymouth. We also offer late and weekend appointments so you can see us when it's convenient for you.

(252) 756-3313

Request a Consultation

5-Star Reviews

Dr. Earp is one of the best doctors I've ever had, and he really cares about his patients. The whole office is really kind to everyone that goes there. Thank you, Dr. Earp, for putting in my implants and for caring about your patient, even after the procedure is over. Dr. Earp's office is TOPS in every way.

View On Google

I found Dr, Earps staff, friendly, courteousness and efficient. The office was immaculate and their COVID precautions exemplary and should be adapted by other medical practices. All in all I would highly recommend the entire practice and staff.

View On Google

Why Replace a Missing Tooth?

We know it can be tempting to just live with a missing tooth, especially if it's tucked away in the back of your mouth. But it's not a good idea because of:

How Are Traditional Dental Bridges Placed? Treatment Timeline

Some patients will require preparatory dental care before getting a dental bridge, such as a tooth extraction. Our dentists in Greenville and Plymouth can arrange any treatment you may need before getting your new bridge. Once those steps are completed, the placement of a traditional dental bridge secured by crowns generally follows along these lines:

Our CEREC technology and iTero intraoral scanner make replacing your missing tooth easier and faster.

Consultation

One of the dentists at Earp Dentistry will examine your mouth to assess its readiness for a dental bridge. If you need any other treatments, our dentists are well trained to offer comprehensive dental care without needing to send you to a specialist.

Preparing the Teeth

Our dentists will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These teeth will eventually be capped by dental crowns attached to the dental bridge. The crowns ensure the bridge is held securely in place.

Taking Impressions

After your natural teeth are shaped, the dentist will take a digital impression of the treatment area. This highly detailed 3-D image is the starting point to create the dental bridge and helps ensure it fits comfortably.

Creating the Bridge

In many cases, we can design and mill the dental bridge immediately by uploading the digital impression to our sophisticated CEREC software. In special cases, we may need to send your restoration to an outside lab we have chosen for their outstanding fabrication skills. If this is required, we will provide a temporary bridge to wear until your permanent one is ready.

Placing the Bridge

Once your dental bridge is ready, the dentist will test it in your mouth to judge how well it fits and matches your other teeth. If necessary, he will make minor adjustments so that the bridge is comfortable. Once you and the dentist are pleased with the results, he will cement the crowns in place.

If you are missing many teeth, traditional dentures or those anchored by dental implants may be a better choice for you.

Learn About Dentures