Dental Bridges at Agawam Dental Arts

At Agawam Dental Arts, we understand how missing teeth can impact your daily life, affecting your ability to chew, speak, and even your self-esteem. A dental bridge is a durable and aesthetically pleasing restoration that fills the gap, restoring your smile's function and appearance.

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What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic appliance individually fabricated to replace space for one or several missing teeth. Dental crowns, either on bordering natural teeth or dental implants, support or stabilize one or several artificial teeth. Besides filling in your missing smile, it helps hold the rest of your teeth in place to prevent them from shifting out of position and causing further issues in your oral cavity.

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Types of Dental Bridges

At Agawam Dental Arts, we offer different types of dental bridges tailored to specific needs:

• Traditional Bridges: Most commonly used, where crowns are fitted on side teeth with an artificial tooth in between. This type of bridge is ideal when natural teeth are on both sides of the gap.
• Cantilever Bridges: Applied where one tooth is adjacent to the space. A single abutment tooth supports the artificial teeth. Less preferable, yet it is the optimal option in some cases.
• Maryland Bonded Bridges: Also known as resin-bonded bridges, these bridges are attached to the back of adjacent teeth using metal or porcelain. This minimally invasive procedure requires less reconstruction of surrounding teeth.
• Implant-Supported Bridges: Unlike bridges supported by natural teeth, these bridges are supported by dental implants. This situation is highly desirable when numerous teeth are absent because it provides a fixed and stable solution.

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Advantages of Dental Bridges

There are some advantages of a dental bridge:

• Restored Function: Bridges restore proper chewing and speech function, which is lost when teeth are missing.
• Aesthetic Appeal: They provide a natural appearance, enhancing both your smile and facial aesthetics
• Prevention of Tooth Shift: Bridges prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, saving your bite.
• Durability: Dental bridges can last for decades with proper care and a long-lasting approach to addressing missing teeth.

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The Dental Bridge Procedure

Having a dental bridge from Agawam Dental Arts is a process that will probably involve the following:

• First Consultation: Dr. Michael J. Calabrese will conduct a comprehensive checkup, including X-rays, to assess the condition of your gums and teeth and prescribe the best type of bridge for you.
• Tooth Preparation: For conventional bridges, the teeth adjacent to the space where the bridge will be fitted are prepared by grinding them to ensure the crowns can bear the bridge's weight.
• Impressions: A complete impression of your teeth is taken to create an accurate model for the dental laboratory. The model is used to guide the fabrication of your bridge, ensuring it is the correct size, natural color, and shape to match your teeth.
• Temporary Bridge: Preparatory to your final bridge placement, an intermediate bridge is held to protect the exposed teeth and gums. Your temporary restoration rejuvenates your smile's function, shape, and overall appearance.
• Insertion of the Permanent Bridge: You will return to our office when your permanent bridge is ready. Dr. Calabrese will test the bridge's fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a good fit before cementing.
• Follow-Up Care: Occasionally, the dental bridge may be assessed as a follow-up appointment to ensure your bite and comfort are as defined as possible.

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Taking Care of Your Dental Bridge

Proper care will extend the life of your dental bridge:

• Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily and floss under the artificial teeth to prevent plaque from developing. Floss threaders or interdental brushes may be used to get to hard-to-reach areas.
• Routine Checkups with the Dentist: Visit Agawam Dental Arts for regular checkups and cleanings with our expert dentist to monitor the health of your bridge and overall oral health.
• Healthy Diet: Avoid hard and sticky foods that may hurt the bridge. A healthy diet promotes oral health.
• Avoid Other Tobacco Products: Chewing or smoking tobacco products will undermine your gum health in addition to weakening your dental restorations.

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Why Trust Agawam Dental Arts for Your Dental Bridge?

At Agawam Dental Arts, we believe in customized and comprehensive dental treatment. Our experienced dental staff, led by Dr. Michael J. Calabrese, combines extensive experience with advanced technology to deliver world-class dental restorations. Each patient is unique, and we strive to tailor our treatments to their individual needs.

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Meet The Doctor - Dr. Michael J. Calabrese DMD, MS, MAGD

Dr. Michael J. Calabrese is a highly qualified and dedicated dentist who provides top-notch dental services.

A Massachusetts native from Agawam, Dr. Calabrese earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Bermuda Biological Station and received a Master of Science in Health Sciences. Before attending dental school, he worked as a cancer research scientist at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Calabrese earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Connecticut in 1987 and completed a one-year residency at Danbury Hospital, a Yale University affiliate in Connecticut.

Committed to ongoing education, Dr. Calabrese gained Mastership status with the Academy of General Dentistry in 2006. Dr. Calabrese is an active member of some of the most prestigious dental organizations, including:

• American Dental Association
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• Massachusetts Dental Society
• Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society
• Valley District Dental Society

His background is a broad scope of advanced dental care, including implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, TMJ therapy, sleep apnea treatment, crowns and bridges, periodontal therapy, and restorative and preventive dentistry. He continues to pursue continuing education via professional study clubs such as the New England Master's Study Club, the Yankee Dental Congress, and the Western Massachusetts Dental Implant Study Club.

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Your First Visit

Your initial visit includes an examination, x-rays, and a consultation to develop your treatment plan. We will guide you through every step to ensure you achieve the optimal outcome for your smile.

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Payment and Insurance Options

We want to provide you with affordable, quality dental care. We welcome you to our dental clinic, and we accept:

• Insurance Plans: We accept various insurance plans and strive to accommodate patients' needs and requests.
• Payment Options: Check, cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and CareCredit
• Flexible Payment Options: We will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget