Your teeth can serve you for your lifetime with the right care at home and from your dentist over the years. Unfortunately, even with the best prevention, complications can arise. Whether from trauma, decay, or disease, you might lose a tooth or two over the years. You don’t need to live with an incomplete smile. We can fill the empty space with dental bridges in Moses Lake. You can chew, speak, and smile with confidence knowing your bridge blends in with your natural teeth.
A dental bridge is the most traditional solution to replace the portions of missing teeth visible above the gum lines. An impression of your mouth is used to recreate the teeth you’ve lost using all-ceramic material. This allows them to be crafted to match the appearance of your natural teeth to blend in when you smile. The bridge is then anchored in place using crowns or dental implants.
This is a convenient solution to replace 1 or more consecutive missing teeth in a row. Your dentist in Moses Lake will perform a thorough consultation to ensure a dental bridge is the right choice for you.
A dental bridge works to close the gap caused by missing teeth. This is necessary for more than just aesthetic purposes. It also protects your remaining natural teeth from dental drift while also rebuilding your smile to be able to chew a variety of foods for a balanced diet.
The process of replacing your teeth will occur in multiple stages. After your initial consultation, we’ll schedule you to prepare your adjacent teeth. We’ll reshape them, which allows dental crowns to be bonded over them to hold your bridge in place. Once your teeth are prepared, we’ll take an impression of your mouth, which is used to create the bridge and crowns.
It can take the dental lab a couple of weeks to create them to meet your exact specifications. As a result, you may need temporary restorations while you wait. After your final bridge and crowns are sent back to our office, you’ll return to have them bonded in place.
As an alternative to a traditional fixed bridge, you can support the restoration with a dental implant at either end. Ask us during your consultation about the benefits of an implant-supported bridge.
If you have lost 1 or more teeth in a row, you might be a candidate for a traditional fixed bridge. You must have healthy abutment teeth to support the bridge, or you might need a different treatment. We’ll perform the consultation you need to evaluate your smile and discuss your goals to create a customized treatment plan.
Are you considering getting a dental bridge? You may have questions about this treatment before you move forward with it. We completely understand and want to help you make the best decision to replace your missing teeth. We have taken the opportunity to answer some questions that patients have asked us in the past in the content below. Please take a quick look at our responses, but if you would like more explanation, or if you have other questions you’d like to discuss, feel free to mention them during your appointment.
Generally, you may eat most foods with a dental bridge. The restoration is bonded in place and should be secure; however, you should avoid excessively hard or crunchy foods. Biting down hard could put too much force on the bridge and cause it to fail. Likewise, you may need to consider limiting how much sticky or gummy foods you eat, such as candy or dried fruit. Over time, it could eventually pull the bridge off.
Yes, instead of being affixed to abutment teeth, the bridge can be just as secure with dental implants. In fact, this method spares natural teeth from having to be reduced and covered with the bridge, which can preserve them for as long as possible. This option is definitely worth further consideration!
While the typical lifespan of a traditional dental bridge is up to 10 years, it may vary from patient to patient depending on how well the bridge is maintained. As with normal teeth, dental bridges need to be brushed and flossed every day, with special attention given to the base of the restoration. Bacteria tend to accumulate at these vulnerable sites, potentially leading to decay in the tooth underneath or a gum infection. Regular visits for cleanings are also essential to preserve your bridge.
When attached to implants, a bridge can last significantly longer—up to 30 years! But, again, it will depend on your ability to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
In general, dental bridges are included in dental insurance benefits. However, in many plans, insurance companies will pay for roughly half of the cost, leaving you responsible for paying the other half out-of-pocket. When you meet with us, we can look up your specific policy and explain the finances behind your treatment options. Keep in mind that, if you would like to divide the remaining amount into smaller monthly payments, we can walk you through the application process for dental financing.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed by the gaps in your smile. We can fill the empty space with a dental bridge. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation to replace your missing teeth.