Dental Bridges
Dental Bridges
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A dental bridge procedure is essentially when a false tooth (also known as a pontic) is held in place by the teeth on one or either side of the spot where the tooth is missing. The teeth holding the missing tooth in place are known as ‘anchoring’ or ‘abutment’ teeth.
The pontics are typically made from an array of materials such as porcelain, gold, alloys, or a combination of materials.
Dental bridges are meant to restore your bite and also help to retain the natural shape of your face. The treatment with dental bridges has been a very reliable method of choice for a long time. It provides the patients with an opportunity for replacing lost teeth.
Why do you need a dental bridge?
Having a missing tooth, whether it fell out or was removed, can cause serious problems. Because teeth are formed to work together, a missing tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to move into the empty space or even tilt toward the hole. It affects your bite and puts stress on both the jaw and teeth—causing dental damage and even pain.
What’s more, when teeth are missing, it makes your jaw bone shrink and you’re more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. It can even affect things like your speech and ability to chew. It’s important if you have one or more missing teeth to look at getting a dental bridge to ensure you don’t suffer from any of these ailments.
What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge?
The dental bridge procedure requires a few appointments. The surrounding teeth must be prepared, impressions of the teeth must be made, and the actual bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made by a dental lab. You may also need to go in to receive a temporary bridge while the impressions are being made.
After that, multiple visits (depending on the case) will be needed to ensure the right fit of the bridge. After a couple of weeks, if the framework is working, the bridge is cemented into place.
Our Dental Bridge Procedure
Here is how the dental bridge procedure works at Swedish Dental:
- We conduct an examination of the mouth first to determine whether a dental bridge is the best option for your particular case (and safe).
- If any decay, infections, or periodontitis is detected, it is treated before proceeding forward with the dental bridge procedure.
- The teeth surrounding where the missing tooth is located are prepped for the procedure and an imprint of the teeth is taken.
- The imprint is taken to a technician where they produce a high-quality bridge.
- The dentist attaches the bridge on the prepared teeth and checks to be sure everything is lined up correctly.
Contact Swedish Dental today to learn more about our dental bridge procedure. We can provide you with a consultation free of charge. In some cases, we will recommend a dental bridge procedure in other treatment with dental implants. The choice is based on your individual needs.
Dental Bridge FAQ
These are some frequently asked questions regarding the dental bridge procedure:
What are the benefits of dental bridges?
Dental bridges have a large number of benefits for your dental health, such as:
What are the types of dental bridges?
There are three main types of dental bridges:
Traditional bridges
A traditional bridge is when a false tooth (or a few teeth) is held in place by crowns on either side of the missing tooth. These are the most common kinds of dental bridges.
Cantilever bridges
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge except that it is connected to just one abutment tooth crown. These are used less these days as the can put undue pressure on the back of the mouth.
Maryland bonded bridges
These are also known as resin-bonded bridges. While typically made of porcelain, they can also be made up of other materials like metal or plastic. While traditional bridges use crowns to bond to the abutment teeth, a Maryland bonded bridge is bonded to natural teeth through a metal framework.
What are the types of dental bridges?
The dental bridge procedure cost will vary depending on certain factors. For example, the complexity of the procedure, any additional treatments needed, the materials used, the type of bridge, and even geographic location. Given those factors, dental bridges can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000.
What are the types of dental bridges?
On average dental bridges last anywhere from five to 15 years. The length of time a dental bridge lasts heavily depends on how well taken care of the dental bridge is.