If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, you know just how difficult it can be to complete daily tasks, like eating, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence. The good news is that just because you have lost a tooth or two doesn’t mean that you need to go the rest of your life without it. At Texas Dentistry, we offer customized dental bridges in Mesquite to restore the appearance and function of your smile. To learn more about how you can replace your missing tooth without breaking the bank, give us a call to set up your initial consultation.
A dental bridge is a type of restoration that is used to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. This could be anywhere between one to four teeth. The bridge is composed of two crowns and a number of replacement teeth known as “pontics.” The crowns are anchored onto the adjacent teeth or implants depending on the type of dental bridge you opt for. Bridges can be made out of a variety of different materials, but porcelain and ceramic are generally ideal choices for strong, natural-looking restorations.
If you make a good candidate for a dental bridge, there are two different types that you could end up with. Here is what each one entails:
If you still have healthy teeth on each side of the gap that needs to be filled in, a traditional bridge is ideal. The teeth that support dental crowns are known as “abutment teeth,” and they need to be slightly altered for the bridge to fit properly. This type of restoration can be placed in just a few visits, and they are generally more affordable than their implant alternative.
Dental implant bridges can be used when there are three or more missing teeth in a row. Instead of being placed over abutment teeth, the crowns are secured to the titanium implants that are surgically placed in the jawbone to act as tooth roots. Implant bridges last longer than traditional bridges and they help to prevent jawbone deterioration in the future thanks to tooth loss.
A dental bridge is a cost-effective option for replacing your missing teeth. In addition to providing strength and stability for chewing and speaking clearly, bridges help to maintain the shape of your face. They also keep your natural teeth from shifting out of place and causing alignment problems later thanks to tooth loss.
Are you ready to say goodbye to the gaps in your smile? Replacing your missing teeth is a huge decision, so it pays to be well-informed. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we are asked about dental bridges in Mesquite. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call, and we’d be happy to explain more about the process and get you started with an initial consultation.
No, dental bridges are designed to remain in your mouth for many years after being placed. You shouldn’t be able to take a bridge out on your own – only a dental professional can. Some healthcare providers call partial dentures “removable bridges,” but this isn’t entirely accurate. Partials may be similar to bridges, but one of the key differences is that partials can be removed by the patient at any time, but bridges cannot.
You can expect your dental bridge to last somewhere between 5 and 15 years, but this will vary depending on the type of material that your bridge is made from. The longevity of your bridge also depends on individual factors, like your diet, oral hygiene, and whether you have bad oral habits, like smoking, nail-biting, teeth grinding, and munching on ice. Bridges that replace front teeth may last longer than those toward the back of the mouth, as they’re not subject to as much wear and tear from chewing. If your bridge is supported by dental implants, it will probably last longer than a traditional bridge.
Depending on the patient’s needs, a dental bridge can replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth in a row. However, in most cases, bridges are used to replace only one or two teeth. The longer the bridge extends, the less stable it becomes, so it can become risky to have a bridge replace three or more teeth. Implant bridges can lower this risk, as implants are just as strong and secure as natural teeth.
Metal-free bridges that are made from ceramic, zirconia, and other materials can be color-matched to your surrounding teeth, so they will look remarkably similar to tooth enamel. Once placed, your bridge should blend in with the rest of your smile. Unlike dentures, you don’t need to worry about your restoration moving around or falling out either. It should stay firmly in place.
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