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Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges at Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists

When it comes to dental bridges, Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists is the name you can rely on for high-quality results. Our seasoned team is dedicated to enhancing smiles and restoring function. We’re proud of the outstanding care we deliver to every patient.

Whether you have a single missing tooth or many, our dental bridges are tailored to meet your unique needs. Using cutting-edge technology and the latest dental techniques, we ensure you receive comfortable, successful, and long-lasting treatment.

Dental bridges or prosthetic dental solutions

Patients with one or more missing teeth understand the challenges of chewing and speaking. They come to us looking for a solution to make their lives easier. For many patients, we recommend replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge.

Dental bridges are vital to restorative dentistry, as they fill the spaces a missing tooth leaves. Not only does this restore your smile’s appearance, but it can also improve your confidence, speech, and overall oral health.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

Cosmetic and restorative dentists use a dental bridge to fill the gaps between two healthy teeth. Most treatment plans recommend placing a dental crown on the healthy teeth adjacent to the open space. These restorations are the anchor teeth, also called abutment teeth, which support the bridge between them.

The bridge, also called a pontic, is a fake tooth. It may be made from various substances, such as porcelain, alloys, gold, or a mixture of materials.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Bridges offer patients many benefits, making this restoration to replace missing teeth a great option.

Restores Your Smile

You may try to hide your smile when you are missing one or more teeth. A dental bridge can help you feel more confident in person and pictures. This procedure will close the gaps and restore your smile.

Prevents Teeth From Shifting

Every tooth in your mouth is held in place by a root under the surface of the gums. However, the root is not the only important element holding your teeth in place; nearby teeth also provide stability.

After tooth loss, your remaining teeth may shift toward the open space. The best way to prevent this is by filling the space with an artificial tooth attached to a dental bridge.

Maintains Your Natural Face Shape

Every tooth in your mouth is held in place by a root under the surface of the gums. However, the root is not the only important element holding your teeth in place; nearby teeth also provide stability.

After tooth loss, your remaining teeth may shift toward the open space. The best way to prevent this is by filling the space with an artificial tooth attached to a dental bridge.

Integration of Bone Grafts and PRF

Another result of losing a tooth is jawbone deterioration. Tooth roots stimulate the bone cells in your jaw, and losing this stimulation causes your jawbone to shrink. Severe degradation of this bone could result in more tooth loss and facial collapse, which alters your facial structure.

Improves Chewing

Without all of your teeth, you may have difficulty or pain while trying to enjoy your favorite meal. Food can gather in the empty space where your tooth once was and damage the gum tissue. Investing in a dental bridge can relieve the discomfort while eating and prevent food from collecting and worsening oral health.

Improves Speaking

Your teeth play a vital role in how you form words. Losing multiple teeth can make it more difficult to pronounce certain words or cause you to speak with a lisp. Dental bridges improve your speaking abilities by replacing teeth essential to forming words.

Contributes to Overall Oral Health

A bridge prevents your teeth from shifting, keeping them in proper alignment. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is easier when your teeth are in the correct position. As a result, you’ll be able to achieve better oral hygiene.

Durable and Long-Lasting

A well-maintained dental bridge can last for many years. It is a cost-effective investment that improves oral health.

Types of Dental Bridges

Several types of bridges can be used to restore your smile. The one we recommend will depend on your circumstances and health.

Traditional Bridges

The most common type of bridge is a traditional bridge. It comprises a pontic and a crown covering the adjacent healthy teeth.

Cantilever Bridges

We use a cantilever bridge when anchoring the bridge to two natural teeth on either side of the gap is not possible. This type of bridge works best when only one anchor tooth is available.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge uses a metal framework to support the fake tooth. The metal is fused to your existing teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

An implant-supported bridge is similar to a traditional bridge. Instead of being supported by natural teeth, dental implants support the pontic on either side.

Why You Might Need a Dental Bridge

One of the top reasons you might need a dental bridge to replace missing teeth is to restore your ability to chew and speak. With fewer teeth in your mouth, the remaining ones must do all the work while eating. This can lead to discomfort, uneven wear, and more tooth loss.

Tooth loss can change the aesthetics of your smile, negatively impacting how you look and feel about yourself. A dental bridge creates beautiful, even teeth that will hold the adjacent ones in place, preventing them from shifting. You will have a confident smile, and your overall face shape will remain the same.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

The dental bridge procedure is rather simple; however, it does involve a few steps. You must have an initial consultation and examination by one of our experienced dentists. This appointment may require a health history and X-rays to understand your oral health fully. You and your dentist will decide whether a dental bridge is a suitable treatment.

The abutment teeth must be prepared at the next appointment. The teeth on either side of the gaps are reshaped, removing some of the enamel. This step creates room for the crown to be placed over them. After this step, an impression is taken, and a model is created. The dental lab technician uses the model to make the restoration.
Once your teeth are prepared and the impression is taken, the dentist will make a temporary bridge. You’ll wear this until your next appointment to protect the exposed teeth and gums while you wait for your dental bridge to be made at the lab.

On your second visit, the temporary bridge will be removed, and the permanent bridge will be placed in your mouth. Although it is customized to fit your mouth, a few adjustments may be necessary to ensure no high spots or areas rub against your tongue.

Advantages of Choosing Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists for Your Dental Bridge

At Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists, we are experts at our craft: prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. We use high-quality materials and advanced techniques to provide the most comfortable and precise care.

Our team always listens to your concerns to ensure we offer personalized care. No detail is too small, and we pay attention to all of them! When you seek treatment from our experts, you know you have a team committed to patient comfort and satisfaction.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge

After getting your dental bridge, you must properly care for it to ensure it lasts. Follow these tips to prevent tooth decay and other problems.

  • Brush your teeth twice a day
  • Floss daily
  • Clean under your dental bridge
  • Schedule regular dental check-ups
  • Avoid eating very cold or hard food
  • Use a fluoride rinse

Tobacco use enhances the risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer. Both of these can reduce the lifespan of your dental bridge. Quit using tobacco products to keep your bridge in good condition for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

The average lifespan of a dental bridge is 5 to 15 years. With proper care and maintenance, some may last longer.

What Is the Cost of a Dental Bridge?

There is a wide range of prices for a dental bridge, with numerous factors affecting the final cost. However, the average price can range from $1500 and up per tooth. Your cost depends on the materials used and the complexity of the procedure.

Are Dental Bridges Covered by Insurance?

Many insurance policies provide coverage for a dental bridge. The coverage may range from 50% to 80%, depending on the specifics of your dental plan.

How Do I Know if I’m a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

The best way to know if you are a candidate for a dental bridge is to have a dentist assess your oral health. However, patients with one or more missing teeth are typically candidates for a dental bridge.

Are Dental Bridges Painful?

Getting a dental bridge shouldn’t be painful. Your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area before tooth preparation. However, you may experience mild discomfort or sensitivity for a few days following treatment. This is normal as your mouth adjusts to the new restoration.

What Are the Alternatives to Dental Bridges?

Even though you may be a candidate for a dental bridge, you may want to know about alternative treatments. Dental implants are an alternative that provides a durable, long-lasting replacement for missing teeth. Our dentist can place a titanium post into your jawbone that acts similar to your tooth root.

Implants are a durable choice that creates a sturdy foundation for prosthetic teeth. Once restored, your new teeth closely resemble your natural teeth.

Schedule Your Dental Bridge Consultation Today

Dental bridges help cover the open space from missing teeth, making your smile look natural again. They also make it easier for you to chew and bite to enjoy a variety of foods. With proper oral hygiene and routine dental visits, your bridge can last up to 15 years.

If you’re tired of gaps in your smile, take the next steps toward restoring it. At Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists, you can speak with a dental team experienced in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. We’re masters of our craft and provide personalized care to every patient.

Are you ready to book your appointment? Contact us at (404) 321-4588 to get started, and you’ll soon have a smile you’ll want to show off!