An Overview of Dental Bridges

an-overview-of-dental-bridges

Dental Bridges Offered in Rocky Mountain House

Dental bridges are suggested to patients with one or more missing teeth to cover a gap. A dental bridge is also referred to as a pontic, and it is placed with crowns on either side of the gap to hold the artificial tooth. Pontics can be made from materials such as gold or porcelain to simulate natural teeth colour. Dental bridges can be an alternative to dentures or dental implants. A bridge can help patients restore their eating and speaking abilities while achieving a beautiful smile. This blog will discuss the different types of dental bridges and their advantages and disadvantages.

Types of Dental Bridges Offered Near You

  1. Traditional fixed dental bridges are the most common type consisting of an artificial pontic being held in position by two dental crowns cemented onto the teeth on either side of the gap. A dentist near you may suggest traditional bridges if you have healthy natural teeth next to the missing tooth gap.
  2. Cantilever (resin-bonded) dental bridges are barely used nowadays. The dentist may suggest this if a patient has only one natural tooth next to the gap to support the pontic.
  3. Maryland dental bridges are almost the same as traditional bridges, which involve applying two metal or porcelain frameworks to the back of the supporting teeth next to the tooth gap.
  4. Implant-supported dental bridges are typically performed on each missing tooth by inserting an implant into the jawbone socket for support, and after the healing process, the pontic is placed over each of them for an aesthetic smile look. Implant-supported bridges can be considered one of the strongest and most stable bridges to replace a missing tooth.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges may be your ideal restorative treatment to:

  • Give your smile a natural look.
  • Restore the ability the speak and eat normally.
  • Maintain facial structure by preventing bone loss
  • Prevent teeth relocation
  • Prevent bite issues.

Drawbacks of Dental Bridges

Even though dental bridges are considered one of the best dental restorative solutions, patients should take into account that dental bridges may:

  • Compromise the abutment teeth in the long term.
  • Increase the possibility of tooth decay since bacteria can easily build up inside the crowns.
  • Change the structure of your bite.
  • Collapse if the neighbouring teeth are not strong enough to hold it.
  • Increase the need for dental implants on abutment teeth.

Costs of Dental Bridge

The costs of any dental procedure or treatment may vary depending on the following:

  • Number of missing teeth
  • Type of dental bridge
  • Pontic material (metal alloy, resin or zirconia)
  • The complexity of the case
  • Other dental issues
  1. Traditional bridges may cost between $2,000 – $5,000
  2. Maryland ridges may cost between $1,500 – $2,500
  3. An Implant-supported bridge may cost between $5,000 – $15,000

You can contact your dental insurance company to check if your insurance covers some of the costs associated with dental bridges. Take into account that only some patients are candidates for a dental bridge in Rocky Mountain House. A dentist near you will need to determine if you are an ideal candidate through an oral health examination and evaluation.

Take Care of Your Dental Bridge

Unlike dentures, dental bridges are considered permanent as the patient cannot detach them for cleaning; however, this does not mean they last for a lifetime. Dental bridges have an average lifespan of five to seven years. If properly cared for, a bridge can last more than ten years.

Follow a proper oral hygiene routine to keep them strong and prevent complications. Our dentist in Rocky Mountain House expects daily teeth brushing and flossing and routine dental checkups.

Take into consideration that to have long-lasting bridges, you may need to avoid eating:

  • Candy (hard, sticky and chewy)
  • Sugary foods
  • Popcorn
  • Nuts

There are various points to take into consideration before deciding on dental bridges. Our dentists in Rocky Mountain House are happy to assist you and provide you with all the information on your consultation. Visit our website https://www.aspen-dental.ca today to learn more about our services, or call us at (587) 415-0947 to book a consultation.

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