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, Pruitt & 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.
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. Pruitt & 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.
Get a Healthier & Brighter Smile!
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:
Tooth Movement
Teeth support each other and keep themselves in line. But when one goes missing, nearby teeth can slowly slide into the gap at an unnatural angle. This will alter your bite, and that can introduce complications, such as TMJ.
Super-Eruption
It’s not only the neighbor teeth that can be affected when a tooth is lost. Without the tooth in place to stop it, its partner tooth in the opposing arch may “erupt,” exposing the tooth’s root and making it vulnerable to root cavities, which are difficult to treat.
Advanced Wear
When a missing tooth allows other teeth to fall out of alignment, your bite is changed. Instead of meeting harmoniously, your teeth may clash at new contact points. In turn, you may experience unexpected areas of wear.
Treatment Process
HOW ARE TRADITIONAL DENTAL BRIDGES PLACED?
1
Consultation
One of the dentists at Pruitt & 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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
WHAT SETS US APART?
Expertise
The dentists at Pruitt & Earp Dentistry in Greenville and Plymouth, NC, are expertly trained, particularly in the highly technical field of implant dentistry. Our dentists belong to the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and have a fellowship with this prestigious organization.
Same-Day Dental Bridges
Our state-of-the-art practice uses CEREC® technology and iTero® intraoral scanners. These sophisticated instruments allow us to design, mill, and place your dental bridge in one appointment so you can avoid the hassles of wearing a temporary restoration.
Flexible Financing
You shouldn’t have to wait to restore missing teeth. We are in-network for most dental insurances, but if you don’t have insurance or insurance leaves you with out-of-pocket costs, we offer flexible financing through CareCredit®.
Sedation Options
If visiting the dentist makes you break out in a sweat, we can help. We offer both nitrous oxide and oral sedation so you can put your anxieties to rest. Sedation also helps if you have physical limitations that make sitting for long periods difficult.
Transform Your Smile Today!
WHY CHOOSE OUR DENTISTRY OFFICE?
Experience Exceptional Care and Transformative Results
One-Stop Shop
Our dentistry offices offer a variety of general, restorative, and cosmetic procedures to meet our patient’s needs. We rarely have to refer patients out because of our dentists’ breadth of knowledge.
Competitive Pricing
Our office offers top quality dental services at competitive prices. We also accept most insurance providers and monthly financing for patients who don’t have insurance or who’s procedure is not covered.
Knowledgeable Staff
Having three dentists on our team means having a staff knowledgeable on various specialties. All of our dentists are highly trained and take continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on the latest dental trends.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY
See What Our Satisfied Patients Are Saying About Us
COMPLETE LIST OF SERVICES
Experience Complete Dental Care with Us
• 3-D Imaging
• Braces
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Dental Bonding
• Dental Bridges
• Dental Crowns
• Dental Fillings
• Dental Implants
• Exams and Cleanings
• General Dentistry
• Intraoral Cameras
• Invisalign
• Laser Dentistry
• Laser Ulcer Treatment
• Microscope Dentistry
• Periodontal Care
• Porcelain Veneers
• Restorative Dentistry
• Root Canal Treatment
• Scaling and Root Planing
• Sedation Dentistry
• Sleep Apnea Treatment
• Sports Mouth Guards.
• Teeth Whitening
We Are dedicated to providing you
and your family the finest dental care
