Dental Bridges
Your Home for a Beautiful Smile
Discover the Difference at Jensen Family Dental
Missing teeth or gaps in your smile not only affect your oral health but can also shake your self-confidence when you smile or talk. Luckily, this can easily be fixed using dental bridges at Jensen Family Dentistry in Bayport, MN.
What are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are fixed restorations made up of one or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, which are used to replace missing teeth. The pontics are held together by dental crowns attached to the natural teeth on both sides of the gap. Bridges come in various materials, including ceramic, porcelain, gold, and other alloys. The choice of dental bridges depends on an individual’s specific needs and preferences.
Who Needs Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges offer a suitable solution for people with the following conditions:
- Missing Teeth: The primary function of dental bridges is to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth. Missing teeth result in various problems, including difficulty chewing foods and aesthetic concerns, speech problems, and dental anxiety. If you have teeth on either side of a missing tooth, you may be a good candidate for a bridge.
- Shifting Teeth: Also referred to as tooth migration, this is a dental condition where teeth move from their normal position due to toothlessness and gum disease. Dental bridges help hold the remaining teeth in place and prevent shifting.
Benefits of Dental Dental Bridges
The following are the advantages of using dental bridges:
- Fixed tooth replacement restoration
- Restored ability to chew food
- They can be used as a cosmetic alternative
- Improved aesthetics, i.e., no gaps or metal showing on teeth
- Low maintenance cost
- They are durable
What Occurs During a Typical Tooth Bridge Procedure?
Dental bridges can oftentimes be done in two dentist appointments. The first appointment is the preparation stage, and it entails the following:
- Consultation and examination: A dentist will examine your teeth and decide whether dental bridges are the right option.
- Preparation of the abutment teeth: After they proceed with the procedure, the next step will be preparing the natural teeth on either side of the gap for the bridge. A process involves removing a piece of the enamel and dentin to create room for dental crowns that will support the bridge.
- Impression: After that, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth to create a dental bridge that perfectly fits your mouth.
- Temporary bridge: Lastly, you’ll be provided with a temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth and maintain space where the gap used to be as you wait for a permanent bridge.
The next appointment will be the placement of the permanent bridge, which takes about one or two weeks after the first appointment. That’s because it takes some time to prepare a custom-made bridge in the laboratory. The exact timeline of the second appointment may vary depending on the type of material used.
How Long Will a Dental Bridge Last?
Dental bridges are durable and can last well over ten years with proper hygiene and maintenance. You can take care of them by regular flossing and cleaning the underneath the bridge using a Waterpik or floss-threader. You should also make regular dental appointments for cleaning and examinations to ensure the bridges are in good health.
Cost of a Tooth Bridge
A bridge is essentially the cost of multiple crowns. The total cost of the procedure varies depending on the type of material, the nature of the gap, and insurance coverage.
Ready To Restore Your Smile?
Dental bridges provide an effective solution to problems that comes with missing or shifting teeth. Whether you’re missing one tooth or several, dental bridges can help restore your smile and improve your quality of life. Jensen Family Dental has a team of professional and highly-qualified dentists who offer effective tooth bridge procedures and other dental services for residents of Bayport, MN, and surrounding areas. Contact us today to book an appointment with a dentist and learn more about our dental care programs.