DENTAL BRIDGES
Your Permanent Solution
Living with missing teeth always affects your life. From damaging your confidence to making it difficult to eat your favorite foods, missing teeth can quickly take a toll on your overall health. If you have adjacent missing teeth, replacing each one individually can be costly and time-consuming.
For cases like this, we recommend dental bridges for maximum convenience. Our permanent bridges are customized to match the surrounding teeth in your smile for a natural-looking solution that will restore your smile for years to come.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are designed to bridge the gap between one or more missing teeth. Bridges provide more stability than a denture, but don’t require surgery like dental implants. Dental bridges consist of natural-looking prosthetics called pontics, which replace your missing teeth. The pontics rely on your adjacent teeth on each side to support the restoration.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
In addition to bringing a boost to your confidence, dental bridges also improve your oral health. There are numerous advantages to receiving a dental bridge, such as:
- Prevents your surrounding teeth from shifting out of place
- Restores your ability to eat and speak
- Prevents opposing teeth from elongating to compensate for missing teeth
- Evenly distributes chewing forces
- Decreases wear and tear of surrounding teeth
- Prevents jawbone deterioration
- Maintains the shape of your face
- Restores your bite
The Process for Your New Smile
Receiving your dental bridge restoration is a relatively quick and easy process that can be completed in as little as two visits to our Archdale practice. During your initial visit, Dr. MacDonald will prepare your anchor teeth by gently removing some enamel and capping them with customized porcelain crowns for increased strength. We’ll also take a detailed impression of your teeth so we can create your custom bridge.
About two weeks after your first appointment, you’ll return to our Archdale dental practice to receive your bridge. Dr. MacDonald will check to ensure the fit and appearance are exactly how you envisioned them before fixing the bridge in place. Once it’s secure, you’re ready to leave our office with a flawless smile.
Candidates for Dental Bridges
Not all patients are ideal candidates for a dental bridge. Factors that make you a viable candidate include:
- Missing one or more permanent teeth
- Having overall good health (no severe health conditions, infections, or other major health problems)
- Having healthy teeth and a strong enough bone structure to support the bridge
- Having good oral health
- Performing good oral hygiene habits in order to maintain the condition of your bridge
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental bridge cost?
The cost of your dental bridge restoration will vary depending on your specific needs and the details of your procedure. If you have dental insurance, your provider will typically cover a portion of the expenses. We always recommend contacting your insurance provider to get a more detailed explanation of your coverage.
For an accurate estimate, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. MacDonald at our Archdale dental office. This appointment consists of an examination of your oral health to determine the best course of treatment for you. Contact us by calling (336) 434-3186and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.
How do I care for my dental bridge?
Dental bridges are prone to decay, but properly caring for them is important to their longevity. In addition to scheduling your biannual dental visits to Triad Cosmetic Dentistry for checkups, you’ll want to maintain a good at-home oral hygiene routine. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash. This helps prevent plaque buildup and other dental complications.
Are dental bridges permanent?
No, dental bridges aren’t permanent. They can, however, last up to 15 years or more if properly cared for, but eventually, they need to be replaced. While dental bridges are a stable restoration, they do wear out with everyday use, just like other tooth replacement options.
You don’t need to worry about replacement for a long time as long as you properly care for your oral health. Daily brushing and flossing, as well as keeping up with regular dental checkups at our Archdale office, will help you achieve pristine oral health.
Is a dental bridge better than a dental implant?
The best restorative dental option depends on your unique situation. For some patients, a dental bridge is an optimal solution for their needs. While dental implants are popular due to their great benefits, there are some situations where they’re not suitable for the patient.
Dental bridges can be the better option if you’re not looking to undergo any type of surgery and avoid the possibility of added supplemental procedures. Dental implants also involve a much longer treatment process that can last several months from beginning to end.
Let Us Restore Your Smile
Dental bridges can rejuvenate your smile’s appearance and restore your oral health. If you’re ready to put an end to the struggles that missing teeth cause in your daily life, get in touch. Call our Archdale office at (336) 434-3186 to schedule an appointment with Dr. MacDonald or fill out this convenient online contact form.
