Woman pointing at her teeth

Dental Bridges: A time tested tooth replacement solution in Thibodaux, LA

Beautiful woman with perfect smile

Why is it so important to replace missing teeth? Gaps do more than spoil your smile. They allow other teeth to go crooked, increasing risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Missing teeth also have a negative impact on bite, diet, and speech. For many years, dental bridges have been used to correct the problem. At Acadia Family Dentistry in Thibodaux LA, Dr. Palmer brings modern materials and techniques into the process to improve smiles from Thibodaux LA and nearby communities of Houma, Labadieville, Schriever, Raceland and Gray.

What is a bridge?

As you might guess from the name, this dental prosthetic bridges the space between remaining teeth. It consists of an artificial tooth or several in succession, with crowns at each end. Crowns are cemented to prepared teeth or dental implants to stabilize the unit.

Though sometimes called a “removable dental bridge,” a partial denture cannot provide the security and comfort of a fixed bridge.

Dental bridges – a precise process in Thibodaux, LA

For a traditional bridge, at least two appointments are necessary:

  • At the first, the treatment area is numbed, and anchor teeth are prepared by reducing and shaping tooth structure to hold crowns.
  • Doctor, takes impressions of your mouth, and then uses this information to design the bridge and plan how it will be affixed.
  • Instructions go to a dental laboratory where the bridge is fabricated, usually of porcelain.
  • Meanwhile, anchor teeth are protected with temporary restorations.
  • You return in several weeks to have the interim crowns removed, and the permanent dental bridge cemented in place.
  • A zirconia implant bridge may be recommended for upper or lower bridge teeth. Just a few dental implants are placed to hold a full arch of teeth securely.

Got missing teeth? Here’s how you can ‘bridge’ that gap!

Dental bridges - Thibodaux, LA
Yet another great way to fix gaps in your smile—a bridge can be handy in fixing missing teeth. Surgery is not required for this restoration which is another great benefit for those who do not like invasive techniques. A bridge can be secured on to neighboring teeth, next to the gap and can be customized and prepared relatively fast. Watch the video to learn more.
Video Transcript

A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.


Replacing missing teeth can improve your dental health and give you more confidence in your smile. Dental implants are the “gold standard” for individual tooth replacement. However, bridges still make good sense for many patients who are not implant candidates or who want to avoid an oral surgery procedure.

Call Acadia Family Dentistry at (985) 303-2920 to learn about options for affordable dental bridge work

All about dental bridges at Acadia Family Dentistry

All about dental bridges at Acadia Family Dentistry
If you are missing a tooth, a tooth-supported bridge may be the solution for you. At Acadia Family Dentistry, you have various options to choose from to replace your missing teeth. Watch this video to know all about them.
Video Transcript

What are dental bridges?

A tooth-supported bridge is a dental restoration that replaces missing teeth.

It is made of a false tooth attached to crowns, which fits over teeth on both sides of the space.

A tooth-supported bridge is cemented in place and cannot be removed.

What are the different types of dental bridges used?

There are different types of tooth-supported bridges.

There is porcelain, similar to the natural color for the tooth, gold alloy, the strongest and most conservative in its preparation.

We do porcelain fused to an inner core of gold alloy or porcelain fused to metal which combines strengths and aesthetics.

What are the benefits of dental bridges?

Having a dental bridge builds back your smile and helps you speak correctly by restoring your teeth to a natural size and shape.

They help maintain tooth bite and jaw alignment by preventing remaining teeth from shifting out of position.

What are the risks of dental bridges?

In preparation for the bridge, we consume the structure of the anchor teeth, which permanently alters the teeth.

Anchor teeth for bridges may need root canal treatments, about 6% of the time during the lifetime of the tooth.

There are three alternatives for bridges; replacing the missing tooth with an implant, with a removable partial denture, or leaving the space, as it is.

Please feel free to contact us if you need further information.


Dr. Jared Palmer, Acadia Family Dentistry

Dr. Jared Palmer - Acadia Family Dentistry

Dr. Jared Palmer graduated with distinction from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2005.

Dr. Palmer has put numerous hours into continuing education, gaining certification in IV sedation, Botox, implant placement, Invisalign, and root canal therapy to augment his current skills.

He strives every day to try and make the dental experience as light-hearted as possible.

Success Stories

Read our success stories from our patients regarding Acadia Family Dentistry and Dr. Palmer.

Success Stories