Will my bridge look fake?

No. Dr. Mann designs your bridge digitally to match the shape of the teeth around it, in a tooth-colored material that blends in with your smile, so it looks like your own teeth when you talk and laugh. He checks the fit and look carefully at our Manchester dental office before it goes in.

Does getting a bridge hurt?

Most patients feel very little, because Dr. Mann makes sure the supporting teeth are completely numb before he begins, and many bridges are finished in one visit, so you're numbed just once. If you're nervous, nitrous oxide or IV sedation can help you feel calm the whole way through.

My missing tooth doesn't bother me. Do I really need to replace it?

Not always, but it's worth knowing the risks. Over time, nearby teeth can drift into the empty space, which changes how you chew, so Dr. Mann shows you what's happening on your own scan at our Manchester dental office and lets you decide, with no pressure either way.

How long will my bridge last?

With good care at home and regular checkups, a well-made bridge can serve you for many years. Dr. Mann and Kara check it at your visits, so they can catch small changes around the supporting teeth early, while those changes are still simple to take care of.

Can I get a bridge if I'm scared of the dentist?

Yes. Many of our patients were nervous for years before they came in, and Dr. Mann always takes time to listen first. He's licensed to provide IV sedation in New Hampshire, and nitrous oxide is available too, so you can feel calm while he replaces your tooth.

Dental Bridges Manchester NH | Mann Family Dental

Bringing back the tooth you've been missing

Starting with the space you've been living with

Maybe you lost a tooth years ago and simply learned to chew on the other side, or maybe an old bridge has started to feel loose and you worry it will give way at the worst possible moment — either way, Dr. Mann takes the time to hear what it's been like for you. Many patients tell him, "It's been missing for years. It doesn't bother me," and he understands that completely, then gently explains why it's still worth a look: "Our mouth is made so that all your teeth are in there for a purpose," and a gap can let the teeth around it drift out of place.

Seeing your options side by side

Dr. Mann walks you through every way to replace a missing tooth, using your own digital scan on the screen and a simple model he's relied on for years to show exactly how a bridge differs from a dental implant. A traditional bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap to hold a replacement tooth, while an implant bridge rests on implants, and he'll share the pros and cons of each so you can choose with a clear picture of what fits your health, your comfort and your budget.

Designing a bridge that looks like your own

Once you've chosen a bridge, Dr. Mann gently prepares the supporting teeth, takes a quick digital scan in place of messy impression putty, and designs your bridge on the computer to match the shape of the teeth around it. We can mill many bridges right in our office with CEREC, the same technology behind the same-day crowns milled in our office, so you're numbed only once and leave with your new tooth in place; when your bridge calls for a different process, he'll tell you exactly what to expect before you begin.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth: a natural-looking tooth that attaches to crowns over the healthy teeth on either side of the space, or that rests on dental implants. It stays in place full time, so you brush and care for it much like your own teeth, and it closes the gap so you can chew, speak and smile comfortably again.

How much do dental bridges cost in Manchester, NH?

The cost depends on how many teeth your bridge replaces, what supports it, and what the neighboring teeth need, so Dr. Mann gives you a clear plan and cost for each option before anything begins. We're out of network, but our Manchester dental office files your claims so reimbursement comes straight to you, and we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, along with the Mann Plan, our in-office membership plan.

Is a bridge or an implant better for a missing tooth?

For a single missing tooth, Dr. Mann usually talks with you about a dental implant first, because it's the standard of care and it stands on its own without relying on the teeth beside it. A bridge can still be a wonderful choice, especially when those neighboring teeth already need crowns or an implant doesn't fit your health or budget, and he'll share the pros and cons of both and respect the choice you make.

How do I take care of a dental bridge?

You brush your bridge just like your natural teeth and clean underneath the replacement tooth every day with a floss threader or the tools Kara, our hygienist, recommends for you. Regular cleanings let Dr. Mann check the bridge and the teeth that support it, and if food ever gets trapped or your floss shreds around it, let us know right away, because that's a sign the fit needs attention.

Can you replace my old, loose bridge?

Yes. Dr. Mann will check the teeth that support your old bridge on your digital scan and x-rays, then walk you through your options, which may be a new bridge, an implant bridge, or implants for any teeth that can't be kept. It's an easy drive from Bedford to our Manchester dental office, and it's always best to come in before a loose bridge gives way, while you still have the most choices.

Recommending the option that truly serves you

Dr. Mann will always tell you honestly when a bridge isn't the best way to replace your tooth — when the teeth beside the gap are healthy and untouched and an implant would leave them that way, for example, or when those supporting teeth aren't strong enough to carry a bridge well. Either way, you'll leave your visit knowing the pros and cons of each option, what each one costs, and his honest professional opinion, and the decision will always be yours to make.

Dental Bridges in Manchester, NH