Dental bridges replace your missing teeth with permanent artificial crowns using two adjacent healthy teeth or implants as anchors. They literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridges sit within the gaps in your teeth hanging off their anchor (or abutment) teeth. Because they sit above your jaw and are not fused to it, they can prevent your teeth from shifting and moving but they cannot correct jaw bone issues or problems. The false teeth, or pontics, are made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Bridges are faster and more affordable than dental implants, especially when replacing several teeth at once. They do not need jaw bone grafting, the solid anchor on nearby teeth ensures that your bridge will never come loose. Dental bridges from Doctor Praff and his Spring Valley dentists will also enhance your smile and work like natural teeth when you talk and chew.
The Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges:
- Restore your smile
- Restore your ability to chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Properly Support your bite
- Prevent your remaining teeth from drifting out of place
Types of Dental Bridges
- Traditional – Made from ceramics or metal-fused porcelain, traditional bridges hold your false teeth with crowns fastened to your adjacent teeth. This is the most common type of bridge.
- Cantilever – We use cantilevers when you only one useable adjacent tooth. They are not recommended for the back of your mouth since they could damage your remaining teeth.
- Maryland – Maryland (or resin) bonded bridges come in porcelain, metal-fused porcelain, or plastic varieties. They include false gums, as well as teeth, supported by a metal or porcelain framework and wings bonded to your existing teeth.
How long does it take to get a dental bridge?
Dental bridge installations are two-day affairs. During your first visit, we prepare your abutment teeth by removing enough enamel until there is enough room for the crown. We then take impressions of your teeth to serve as models for your bridge. At the end, we will give you a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and gums until your permanent bridges arrive from the lab.
When your bridges arrive at our office, we will contact you to schedule your next installation visit. During this visit, we will replace your temporary bridge with your new permanent porcelain or metal bridge. We will check and adjust your new bridge until it fits well in your mouth, but we may schedule another visit or two if we need more time to properly fit the framework with your bite.
After that, your new bridge will cement into place in a few weeks.
For fixed bridges, we may also apply temporary cement to keep the bridge in place until it heals as well.
The Cost of Dental Bridges and Insurance Information
The cost of your dental bridge with depend on the severity of your case and the type of bridge we use. Most dental insurance policies will cover a percentage of your dental bridge. Talk with your insurance agency for details about what your plan covers and does not. Feel free to talk about your insurance and financial situation as well. We have another of payment options that might interest you.
Dental Bridge Care
Dental bridges will last five to 15 years or longer with proper care, good oral hygiene, and regular checkups. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss, as well as having a balance diet with proper nutrition.
Dental bridges do require special hygiene instruments alongside your normal every day brush and flossing. We will show you what these instruments are and how to use them once we finish installing your bridge.
Dental Bridges in Spring Valley
Dental bridges restore your abilities to chew, speak, and eat normally. You may find eating and speaking difficult at first, but it will come easier for you as time goes on. We recommend eating soft foods cut into small pieces for a few days until you grow accustomed to the bridge.
Since you need good, strong existing teeth for proper bridge installation, we only offer bridges to patients that can have them. If you are missing most of all your teeth, we may recommend another form of tooth replacement that would better serve your needs, such as traditional dentures or dental implants. Contact our Spring Valley practice for a consultation to learn more about dental bridges and their benefits.