Fill Gaps Caused By 1 To 3 Missing Teeth
A dental bridge restores your mouth’s appearance and health by filling gaps with a false tooth supported by dental implants, natural teeth, or both. It’s a fixed solution that doesn’t require removal for sleep or cleaning. Filling gaps is crucial for oral health, as missing teeth can affect speech, chewing, and cause neighbouring teeth to shift.
The Lasting Advantages of Dental Bridges
Regain confidence and comfort by addressing the issue of missing teeth. A dental bridge not only restores the natural look and feel of your smile but also provides lasting advantages for your remaining teeth and the overall health of your jawbone. In summary, here are the benefits of a dental bridge:
Comfort
Dental bridges not only enhance the aesthetics of your smile, but also deliver comfort and greatly improve your ability to eat and speak with ease. By replacing missing teeth, bridges restore proper functionality, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of foods without difficulty. They also aid in clear and articulate speech, giving you the confidence to communicate effectively. Additionally, dental bridges are designed to be durable and long-lasting, often lasting over 10 years with proper care.
Tooth health
Your teeth work in harmony to support one another and maintain your facial structure. However, the absence of teeth can disrupt your bite and create gaps that allow neighbouring teeth to move out of their proper positions. By utilizing a dental bridge, these undesirable tooth movements are prevented, effectively reducing the risk of decay, periodontal disease, jaw pain, and TMJ disorder caused by misaligned teeth. The bridge acts as a barrier, keeping your teeth in place and preserving optimal oral health and alignment.
Bone health
Maintaining healthy and stable teeth is crucial for promoting the well-being of our jawbones. As our dental health deteriorates, so does the health of the supportive bone and tissues. By stabilizing your dental health through the use of a dental bridge, you can effectively slow down the process of bone loss caused by missing teeth.
The Cost Of A Dental Bridge In Trenton
The expense associated with a dental bridge can vary significantly based on individual circumstances. With a standard insurance plan, the average cost of a dental bridge ranges from $800 to $1200 or more. For those without insurance coverage, a rough estimate for a bridge would be around $2000 to $3000 or higher, depending on various factors.
Several factors contribute to determining the cost of a dental bridge, including:
- The type of bridge and the material chosen for its construction.
- The number of missing teeth that need to be replaced.
- The location and complexity of the procedure.
- The condition of the teeth adjacent to the gap.
- The specific supplies and equipment required for your individual treatment.
We kindly advise scheduling a consultation with a dentist for an accurate quote, considering the uniqueness of your needs. If you have dental insurance, we would also be delighted to assist you in obtaining a quote to help determine your out-of-pocket costs prior to making a decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental bridges come in various types, including permanent and semi-permanent options. Referred to as fixed partial dentures, bridges are semi-permanent as they are securely bonded to existing teeth or implants. Distinguishing between a bridge (which remains fixed) and a denture (which is removable) is simple: bridges consist solely of teeth, while dentures include the pink gums as well.
Cantilever bridges are employed when there are no adjacent teeth on both sides of the gap caused by missing teeth. However, they are now less commonly used and not advised for the posterior region of the mouth. Applying excessive force on neighbouring teeth can lead to potential damage. If your missing teeth are located at the back of your mouth, alternative solutions are available to address this situation effectively.
The process usually takes two appointments with each appointment lasting less than an hour. After the first appointment when impressions are taken, it usually takes a few weeks for the dental lab to fabricate the bridge. Once ready, you will return to the dentist for the placement and adjustment of the bridge.
Dental bridges can be crafted using different materials such as gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination thereof. At our practice, we primarily utilize porcelain for our dental bridge procedures.
Although the terms dental bridge and crown are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes. Dental crowns are prosthetic caps placed over damaged or worn teeth to enhance strength and prevent decay. On the other hand, dental bridges are specifically designed to fill the gap resulting from one or more missing teeth, effectively bridging the space.
A crown, all by itself, cannot replace a missing tooth. The crown refers to a dental cap that looks and feels like a tooth but it needs to be supported inside and beneath the gum line by either an existing and prepared tooth, a partial tooth with a post or a dental implant.
Bridges can be made of Zirconia. Ask us for more information and we would be happy to show you what materials are available and what our recommendations are for your specific needs.