Infinity Dental Care
Dental Bridges – Hillsboro, OR
Bring Back Your Smile with Natural Restorations!
All teeth are responsible for performing many different tasks, including speaking, chewing and keeping your smile aligned. While tooth loss can occur once you reach a certain age, that doesn’t mean you should accept that fact. If you lose teeth, you need to replace them to ensure the long-term functions of the tasks that you rely on. Dental bridges are one of the most common tooth repalcement options in dentistry today.
Dental Bridge Options
Dental bridges are restorations designed to replace missing teeth via a series of crowns. These crowns are fused together to create one larger restoration and fit on top of natural teeth. If the bridge is permanently attached to teeth, it’s referred to as a fixed bridge.
Fixed bridges are placed in two ways. The first is via crowns which attach to supporting or abutment teeth, or by directly bonding the restoration to the abutment teeth.
Missing multiple or even just one tooth can dramatically affect your appearance as well as your dental health. Teeth are designed to support many functions, including speaking and eating. If your teeth are missing, then these basic tasks become incredibly difficult to perform. If teeth are not replaced, you may experience a higher rate of cavities, fractured teeth, and even bone loss due to load redistribution. A fixed bridge is one of the best ways to prevent these long-term complications and restore your dental health and appearance.
What are Dental Bridges or Fixed Partial Dentures?
Dental bridges are the same as fixed partial dentures. They work to replace one to two teeth at a time and are not intended to be removable. This is because they are bonded into place, therefore offering a much more stable restoration compared to removable dentures. Bridges should only be removed by dental professionals.
When is a Dental Bridge Necessary?
Bridges offer a two-pronged solution to tooth loss. First, they improve your oral functionality. Second, they help you maintain your appearance. They also work to support neighboring oral structures, such as the lips and cheeks. For example, losing a back tooth results in a sinking mouth and premature aging.
With that said, dental health is the highest priority and the most important reason for replacing teeth. Teeth are intended to work together, and tooth loss puts too much stress on remaining teeth and nearby oral tissue. This can lead to a number of harmful disorders.
Additionally, tooth loss can increase your risk of gum disease. In fact, it’s noted to be one of the worst side effects of missing teeth.
If you haven’t had difficulty speaking in the past, tooth loss can also increase your risk of developing a speech disorder.
The Dental Bridge Process
Overall, dental bridges take about two to three visits to our dental office to complete. Dr. Kalluri will prepare your abutment teeth during the first appointment. In order to keep your bite correct and aligned, the bridge needs to be fabricated as precisely as possible. Ensuring this process goes well also helps us confirm that your bridge matches opposing teeth. To do this, we capture detailed impressions of your prepared teeth.
In most cases, fixed bridges are bonded to natural teeth adjacent to the empty space left from your extracted teeth. Pontics, or false teeth, fill the gap, while the dental crowns cemented onto the neighboring teeth provide the necessary support to the bridge.
Common Materials Used for Dental Bridges
Bridges can be made from a multitude of dental materials, including metal alloys, gold, porcelain, or a combination of the three. In some cases, porcelain is bonded directly to gold or alloy.
Taking Care of Your Dental Bridge
Maintaining your bridge requires dedicated brushing and flossing of your restoration and neighboring teeth daily. Since the bridge relies on neighboring teeth, decaying teeth can make it impossible for the bridge to remain stable. Cleaning the restoration via floss picks, threaders, water picks or other products can make removing accumulated plaque easier.
Dental Bridge FAQs
A dental bridge is the most traditional method to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. Although they are a tried-and-proven solution, it’s normal to have a few concerns before you’re ready to commit to one. Dr. Kalluri understands you have apprehensions, but there’s no reason to worry. Here are the most common dental bridges FAQs in North Dallas to calm your nerves.
Are there different types of bridges?
You have more options than ever to replace lost teeth using a bridge. After examining your mouth and learning more about your preferences, we’ll recommend which methods are right for you, such as:
- Traditional Fixed Bridge: All-ceramic material is used to recreate your teeth above the gum line. Bonding dental crowns to the adjacent teeth hold it in place.
- Cantilever Bridges: If you’re missing a tooth on one side, a cantilever bridge can be used because a single crown stabilizes the bridge.
- Maryland Bridge: A Maryland bridge doesn’t require dental crowns because it’s held in place by metal framework.
- Implant Bridge: 1-2 dental implants serve as tooth roots and anchor your bridge to your jawbone for a nearly perfect replica of your natural teeth.
We know it can be stressful determining which bridge is best for your smile, but we’ll help you make the best choice for your smile, budget, and quality of life.
How much does a dental bridge cost?
There’s not a flat rate for dental bridges because every smile is unique. Various factors affect their cost, such as if you need preparatory procedures, the number of teeth being replaced, and the type of bridge. We’ll provide you with a personalized estimate after Dr. Kalluri examines your mouth during your consultation . We don’t want your financial situation to prevent you from completing your smile, which is why we offer several payment options. Besides traditional payment methods, we also accept third-party financing to pay for your bridge in installments.
Can I use my dental insurance to pay for a bridge?
Every dental insurance plan differs, but most offer coverage for dental bridges. Although it may not cover the entire cost, it can offset the amount you pay out-of-pocket. After reaching your annual deductible, your insurance can pay up to 80% of the bill until hitting your yearly limit. We know dental policies are confusing, but you don’t have to navigate your insurance on your own. A member of our team will work on your behalf to file the required claim forms. We will maximize your dental benefits to lower the amount you’ll pay to keep a beautiful smile within your budget.
How long will my dental bridge last?
Several factors affect the lifespan of your bridge. Traditional bridges last for about 5 to 10 years before needing to be replaced, while implant methods can last for a lifetime. You can ensure your new teeth last for decades by committing to your oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly for a cleaning and checkup. It’s best to avoid anything that can damage your bridge, like using your teeth as tools.