Tooth loss affects far more people than you’d think. In fact, roughly 180 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Assuming they have sufficient oral health, that makes them eligible to receive a dental bridge! These restorations are effective at filling the gap in your smile, but they offer far more benefits than that alone. Whether you’re missing a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth in either your top or bottom arch, you’ll want to give Avion Dental & Orthodontics a call to consider your tooth replacement options. After your consultation with one of our dentists, you may realize a dental bridge is perfect for you!
A dental bridge consists of several crowns that have been fused together to create one larger restoration. To fill the gap in your smile after a tooth is lost, the bridge attaches to nearby healthy teeth that have been slightly modified, similar to dental crowns. On either end of the bridge, the crown is hollowed out so it can fit securely over your natural tooth.
If you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row, a dental bridge can fill the gap and make your smile look and feel complete again. However, if you have any existing dental conditions (i.e. gum disease, tooth decay, etc.), then you’ll need to get these issues taken care of first.
Before you receive a dental bridge, you’ll need to complete a consultation at our office so we can better understand the current state of your oral health. This appointment also gives our dentists a chance to see how many teeth you need to replace and which specific bridge would best suit your needs. Below, you can read about the different options available to you.
A traditional bridge relies on existing teeth to remain in place, which means they’ll need to be permanently modified for the bridge to be secure. While this is the fastest and most affordable option, it may not be ideal for those who want to keep as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Combining a bridge with a dental implant is a fantastic way to give your tooth replacement more stability and longevity. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed inside of the jaw and restore the root of your tooth. While they can be expensive upfront and take a long time to receive, they are the best long-term solution for tooth loss.
While you may not think you need to replace teeth, especially if it’s not visible in your smile, you’ll want to reconsider. Getting a dental bridge provides many benefits that you may not have thought about before, including:
Of course, these benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today!
With all of the tooth replacement options available to you, it can be a little bit difficult to understand everything on offer. Even getting a clear picture of everything dental bridges entail can pose a substantial challenge; thankfully, we’re here to clear things up.
We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have about what dental bridges can do for you. Before you come to our office, here are some examples of concerns that we get a lot from our patients.
Dental bridges are designed to fit permanently in the mouth. As a result, it’s not possible to take a dental bridge out without the help of a professional.
This is in contrast to partial dentures, which can be taken out whenever you would like. For this reason, partial dentures are sometimes referred to as “removable bridges.”
On average, a set of dental bridges lasts for around 5-15 years. However, this varies on several factors.
First is the material that your dental bridge is made out of. In general, metal dental bridges last a bit longer than ceramics, though not always. More important is how well you take care of your restoration.
If you have poor oral hygiene habits, like smoking or teeth grinding, you could truncate the lifespan of your dental bridge. On the other hand, good oral hygiene and frequent dental checkups can prolong it.
The upper limit on the number of teeth that a dental bridge can replace is set by the structural integrity of the dental work itself. In general, a dental bridge can safely replace anywhere from one to four teeth in a row.
However, most of them are only used as a substitute for one or two of them. Any more than that and you start to risk the bridge breaking or coming off of the teeth.
While it’s impossible to say anything for certain, it’s true that most dental bridges are covered at least partially by most of them. Typically, they’ll pay for anywhere from 40-50% of the overall treatment. Of course, this is provided that you have met your deductible and that you’ve yet to exceed your yearly maximum.
If you don’t have insurance, we also offer an in-house membership plan and financing via CareCredit that can put great care within your reach.