A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration which bridges the gap where a tooth once was. These bridges can be used to replace a single or multiple teeth by anchoring false teeth to your natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Bridges often use dental crowns (tooth caps) for support from the adjacent teeth to hold the false tooth in place.
At Smile Solutions Richmond, we can create custom bridges which will naturally match the shade of your natural teeth so onlookers would never be able to spot the difference.
Dental bridges are very popular and offer a significant number of benefits for anybody who has experienced tooth loss.
One of the biggest advantages to having a dental bridge is improving oral function by aiding both chewing and speech abilities. The ability to chew food properly can greatly improve your quality of life by allowing you to enjoy a more varied diet without worrying about pain or discomfort.
Smile Solutions Richmond bridges provide a natural looking remedy for anybody with missing teeth. By filling in any oral gaps, the appearance of any patient’s smile will be improved alongside helping maintain facial contours.
While all of our dental replacement options have their strengths, getting a dental bridge is usually a quicker and less invasive treatment than other alternatives. This is due to the preparation of adjacent teeth for crowns and bridge placement taking fewer appointments on average.
There are several types of dental bridges, each designed to address specific dental requirements and conditions. The main types of dental bridges include:
This is the most common type of dental bridge and they consist of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to adjacent natural teeth, which are usually covered with dental crowns for support. This bridge type is only suitable where the adjacent teeth to the gap are strong and healthy.
Commencing traditional bridge therapy involves the initial preparation of the natural teeth, or abutments, for dental crowns. Through an irreversible process, we etch into the tooth enamel to remove a portion of the tooth structure. Commitment to covering these teeth with crowns or an alternative restoration is essential.
Subsequently, dental impressions are taken, and a bridge prosthetic is crafted by a lab technician based on these impressions. While awaiting the final bridge, we will provide patients with a temporary bridge.
After the bridge has been created you will return to our offices and we will remove the temporary bridge and affix the permanent bridge in place.
Implant-supported dental bridges are a type of bridge which relies upon dental implants for support rather than natural teeth.
These bridges are used to replace missing teeth or restore areas where posterior teeth are missing. If the latter is the case and you are interested in implants then we would suggest our bone grafting treatment whereby we relocate healthy bone from another part of the mouth to where it is more needed.
For a single missing tooth, our recommendation is a single implant. In cases where there is a series of consecutive missing teeth, we might opt to support your bridge with one or more implants.
Before initiating implant surgery, we thoroughly assess the health of your jawbone to ensure its capability to support the implants. During the surgical procedure, titanium implant posts are strategically placed in the jawbone, followed by the placement of healing caps.
Over the course of three to six months, these implant posts undergo a process of fusion with the natural jawbone. Once the implants have sufficiently healed, we proceed to remove the healing caps and affix the bridge securely in place to provide a stable and long-lasting solution.
Our bridges can be fixed or removable depending on the desires of our patients. We recommend fixed bridges where possible as they are secured via implants and function like normal teeth.
Removable bridges often need unnecessary tooth preparation to function in a similar manner to fixed bridges but may be more appropriate under specific circumstances.
The lifespan of a dental bridge can vary significantly depending on a number of factors such as the condition of the teeth, oral hygiene practices, the patient’s overall physical health, and the type of bridge and the quality of materials used.
On average, traditional dental bridges can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, with implant-supported bridges lasting longer at up to 15 years with proper care. It should be noted that the dental implants which support the bridge are permanent.
The cost associated with a dental bridge hinges on the number of missing teeth and the type of bridge chosen.
Typically, a traditional bridge is more budget-friendly compared to implant-supported alternatives. Nevertheless, implant bridges offer increased durability and stability.
There are certain dental insurance plans that may contribute to the expenses of restorative treatments, and our dental office will provide a cost estimate following a thorough examination and evaluation.
Are you still wondering whether getting a dental bridge is the right choice for you? Get in touch and see what we can offer to meet your needs!
