Dental Bridges
Traditional dental bridge
A traditional dental bridge is the most popular type of bridge, and it’s used when you still have natural teeth in place on either side of the gap created by a missing tooth. It consists of a false tooth which is held in place by a dental crown, and the crown is cemented into place between each of the abutment teeth.
Implant-supported dental bridge
Rather than using crowns or some kind of framework, an implant-supported dental bridge uses a dental implant to secure the bridge. It will be necessary to install one implant for each missing tooth, and the implant holds the bridge in position.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges help to restore your smile, and will improve your speaking and chewing so you’ll feel more comfortable and more self-confident. They also go a long way toward maintaining the natural shape of your face, and they will prevent teeth from shifting in your mouth. Anytime you have a missing tooth, the surrounding teeth have a tendency to lean toward that opening, because there’s no support there.
What Is the Process for Getting a Dental Bridge?
One of the procedures necessary to prepare for getting a dental bridge is to re-contour some teeth by removing a small amount of enamel. This allows the crown to be placed over those teeth, and to fit snugly in place. Then impressions of the mouth and teeth are made, and these will serve as the model for any dental appliance which later gets installed in your mouth. Once a laboratory has prepared your crown(s), they will be installed and fitted for comfort and functionality.
What does a dental bridge cost?
Traditional dental bridges will generally cost somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000 for one pontic and one crown for the abutment teeth. However, a number of factors can influence the total cost. The material used can have an impact, as can the degree of difficulty in installing the bridge. If any additional treatments are required, e.g. for gum disease, that will cause the cost to be on the higher end of the spectrum.
Will It Be Difficult to Eat With a Dental Bridge?
Assuming your bridge is permanent and fixed in place, it will not be difficult at all to eat with your dental bridge. You should have full functionality which is equivalent to what you had before the bridge was installed, only better.
Will the Dental Bridge Change How I Speak?
If you notice any impact on your speech at all, it will only be temporary. After you’ve had the bridge in place for a while, you’ll get used to it and you’ll be speaking as clearly as you did before the bridge was installed.
Dental bridge vs. Dental Implant
While a dental bridge is less expensive than an implant, the implant will definitely last longer, in most cases your entire lifetime. If you’re trying to decide which of the two might be better for your circumstances, you should discuss the issue with your dentist so all aspects can be considered.
Contact US
If you’re thinking of having a dental bridge installed, please contact us at Ammons Dental by Design. We’ll be glad to schedule an initial consultation for you, and we can discuss all the issues relevant to the procedure, so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.
