Dental Bridges – Slidell, LA
Don’t “Mind the Gap,” Fill It!
If you’ve ever lost a tooth, you know it’s a harsh problem. A gap in your grin affects how you eat, speak, and even smile. That said, missing several adjacent teeth only worsens the issue. However, a dental bridge could easily fix the latter situation. This item “bridges” the spaces in your mouth to restore your entire smile. In fact, you could get a great one here at Camellia City Family Dentistry. For more details, keep reading or book a consultation today!
What is a Dental Bridge?
Basically, a dental bridge is a type of dental prosthetic. It’s comprised of material fused to either side of a pontic (i.e., replacement tooth). As such, it uses your nearby natural teeth to support itself.
Due to how it works, a dental bridge is suited for those missing several teeth at once. Still, the appliance doesn’t have many restrictions. So long as you have decent health (physical and oral), you can get one from a qualified dentist. You’d then be free to enjoy your complete grin.
The Types of Dental Bridges
Even if you want a bridge right now, consult Dr. Tomaszewski first. He’ll look at your mouth and confirm whether it’d help. If he approves bridge treatment, he’ll draft a treatment plan that suits you.
In particular, your treatment plan will decide between two possible bridges. These are:
Traditional Dental Bridge
As you’d expect, the traditional bridge is more well-known. It typically uses two crowns fused to a replacement tooth. Therefore, it uses abutment teeth to stabilize itself.
There is a downside to the traditional bridge. You see, a dentist must alter your tooth structure to place it. Namely, they’ll need to remove some enamel from the abutment sites.
Implant Bridge
Per its name, the implant bridge uses dental implants – prosthetics that fuse with your jaw. In doing so, it remains firmly rooted in your mouth. It won’t slip or fall like other restorations might.
Unlike a standard bridge, an implant type won’t alter your tooth structure. Placing it won’t force a dentist to remove any of your enamel. Due to this unique feature, though, an implant bridge is more expensive than a regular one.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Whether it’s implant-based or not, a dental bridge offers various perks. These include:
- A Gorgeous Grin – Thanks to its porcelain material, a dental bridge blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Your friends and family won’t even notice its teeth are artificial.
- Aligned Teeth – By filling your smile gaps, a dental bridge stops nearby teeth from shifting. To that extent, it keeps your other teeth (relatively) straight.
- High Confidence – Once it restores your smile, a dental bridge will boost your confidence. As a result, you’ll feel more at ease with the people around you.
- Long-Lasting Results – A regular dental bridge has a lifespan of 15 years or so. In contrast, an implant bridge can last over 20 years with proper care.
Clearly, a dental bridge is ideal when you’ve lost several teeth. That being the case, look into getting one and visit our office! We’ll work gladly and diligently to make your grin whole.
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
No, you cannot take your dental bridge out yourself. It was designed to remain in your mouth for many years. If it becomes necessary to remove it due to damage or to upgrade to a different type of prosthetic, Dr. Tomaszewski will need to remove it for you.
You may have heard of a “removable bridge” before, however this is typically referring to a partial denture, which is not actually a bridge. Partials can be removed, but they are designed to be taken out daily for cleaning and soaking.
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?
On average, you can expect your dental bridge to last anywhere from five to 15 years depending on the materials used and how well you care for your bridge and remaining teeth. Other factors include your diet, whether you smoke, and if you have any bad oral habits like nail biting, teeth grinding, or eating ice.
If your bridge is replacing front teeth, these typically last a bit longer because they don’t experience as much wear and tear from chewing as the back teeth do.
Dental implant supported bridges will last longer than traditional bridges. Dental implant posts are designed to last indefinitely, but the crowns may need to be replaced eventually.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
Dental bridges can typically replace anywhere from one to four consecutive teeth, however in most cases they are best used to replace only one or two. This is because the longer the bridge extends, the less stable it can become, especially if the anchoring teeth aren’t strong and healthy.
An implant bridge may mitigate this risk, as implants are just as secure as real teeth, if not more so.
Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?
No matter what materials your dental bridge is made of it cannot be whitened like your natural teeth can. This is because while your tooth enamel has tiny pores through which bleaching gels can enter and break up stains, restorations like dental bridges do not.
When Dr. Tomaszewski designs your bridge, he will make sure it blends in with your remaining teeth as closely as possible. If you are concerned about your natural teeth becoming discolored and making your bridge stand out, speak to Dr. Tomaszewski about undergoing a tooth whitening treatment prior to having your bridge placed. This way, your bridge will be customized to match your ideal shade of white.
