What Are Dental Bridges?
When tooth loss affects your smile, turn to a dental team that is focused on providing the highest quality solutions dentistry has to offer. Made Ya Smile Dental in Friendswood, TX is pleased to offer proven techniques for tooth replacement with dental bridges. Losing even one tooth can significantly affect your oral health, your self-confidence, and your overall appearance. It can also make it more difficult to bite, chew, and speak with comfort. Along with these concerns, leaving teeth unreplaced can cause your teeth to shift and change how your upper and lower arches fit together. If you have lost one or more teeth in the same area, a fixed or removable bridge from general dentist Dr. Peter Nishino may be a great solution for restoring your smile.
Dental bridges are made up of at least two dental crowns that have been molded into a single appliance. Each end of the bridge attaches securely to surrounding teeth or dental implants and replaces a lost tooth by filling in the gap left behind. Utilizing advanced skill and training in restorative aesthetics, Dr. Nishino customizes fixed and removable dental bridges using high-grade biocompatible materials that offer a look and feel similar to your real teeth. Do not let losing a tooth keep you from the quality of life, health, and smile that you deserve. Schedule your tooth replacement consultation with Dr. Nishino in our state-of-the-art Friendswood, TX dental center today.
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What Are The Benefits Of Dental Bridges?
The most considerable benefit of a dental bridge is that it supports the dental restorations needed to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Many patients find there are several oral health and aesthetic benefits of dental bridges. These benefits include:
- Improved ability to speak and eat
- Replacing a missing tooth or teeth for a rejuvenated smile
- Prevents surrounding teeth from shifting
- Protects the natural shape of the face by preventing jawbone deterioration
Is a Dental Bridge Right for Me?
Replacing teeth that have been extracted does more for your smile than simply fill open spaces. Without proper biting and chewing function, you may not be able to eat a wide variety of foods that help support your general health, nutrition, and well-being. Losing teeth may also cause your facial profile to appear diminished or aged. A fixed or removable dental bridge may be a good option for tooth replacement if you have one or more teeth that are missing from within the same area of your mouth. Bridges help to bring back function to your oral health by stabilizing and distributing biting forces equally in your jaw. These appliances also help to keep surrounding teeth from drifting out of place while maintaining a natural contour and shape to your face and jaw.
At Made Ya Smile Dental in Friendswood, TX, our practice is delighted to offer custom bridge restorations that are either fixed or removable to best suit your oral and lifestyle needs. For bridges to work effectively, however, they do rely on surrounding teeth for support. Bridges are commonly comprised of three or more individual dental crowns that our lab has fused together and crafted into a single appliance. The middle portion or "tooth" replaces the natural tooth that has been lost while each end of the bridge attaches securely to healthy, adjacent teeth through clasps (removable bridges) or permanent cement (fixed bridges). In some cases, dental bridges are made to fit over dental implants placed within the jaw.
Dr. Nishino is especially skilled at creating dental bridges that bring a natural cosmetic appeal and functional ability to your smile. He and our team are pleased to offer tooth replacement with bridges that are fixed and removable, traditional, Maryland-bonded, and cantilever prosthetics made of the highest quality porcelain fused to metal or ceramic materials. He customizes each bridge appliance to blend naturally with surrounding teeth so that no one has to know you are missing a tooth. We invite you to schedule a consultation at our friendly practice to learn if a bridge is the ideal tooth replacement option for your smile.
How Are Dental Bridges Placed?
Our caring dental team is always dedicated to delivering the most comfortable, personalized care for each of our patients. Even if you are anxious about receiving dental care, Dr. Nishino can help you relax and enjoy your visits with sedation dentistry options. Dental bridges are usually completed in two separate appointments. To place a fixed bridge, we must remove some of the tooth enamel from your supporting teeth to allow each end of the bridge (abutments) to fit properly over theses teeth while the center portion (pontic) fills the open space left by your missing tooth. Dr. Nishino will ensure your comfort by numbing the treatment areas with a local anesthetics. Once your teeth are prepared, we will take a dental impression of the area and send this to our partner lab for fabrication of your custom bridge. To help maintain the space over this time, we will place a temporary bridge restoration. This will also help you eat, speak, and smile normally while you wait for your final restoration to be made. We will bring you back in 1 – 2 weeks later when your permanent bridge arrives back in our office to cement your restoration in place or affix it to your dental implants. At that time, Dr. Nishino will evaluate the fit for comfort and an even bite.
If you are receiving a removable bridge, we will take an impression of your mouth during your initial consultation visit. Once our lab creates your custom bridge restoration, we will bring you back to try it for comfort. Removable bridges are held securely in place through metal or plastic claps that hook around neighboring teeth. These bridges can be easily removed for cleaning and when sleeping and positioned in place for daily wear.
How Can I Care for My Dental Bridge?
Anytime you receive local anesthetic for a procedure, it is important that you avoid eating until your soft tissues are no longer numb. This can reduce the risk of you accidentally biting your lip, cheeks, or tongue. The teeth that were prepared to support your (fixed) bridge may be a little sensitive at first, but this should resolve. Please get in touch with our Friendswood, TX team if your temporary or permanent bridge feels loose or comes off entirely. Your bridge is helping to keep surrounding teeth in place and should be re-cemented as soon as possible to avoid changes in your bite or fit of your bridge.
Dental bridges can last for several years when cared for properly. We will show you the best methods to use for brushing and flossing each day around and under your bridge. Keeping the teeth supporting your bridge healthy and free of plaque will minimize the chance of tooth decay in these areas. When you visit Made Ya Smile Dental for your routine cleanings and checkups, Dr. Nishino will evaluate your bridge and make sure it is still supporting your oral health as it should.
Will My Insurance Cover a Dental Bridge?
Depending on your specific plan and coverage limits, your bridge may be covered in part by dental insurance. We will get in touch with your insurance provider to learn more about your insurance coverage and let you know of any personal expenses. At Made Ya Smile Dental in Friendswood, TX, we want all patients to get the care they need for a brilliant smile and will work with you to find a solution that matches your budget and treatment needs. To help make dental care even more affordable, our practice partners with CareCredit® for low-cost financing options and accepts a range of convenient payment methods.
Dental Bridges FAQ
How long does it take to adjust to a dental bridge?
It's common to take around two weeks before your tooth replacement feels normal. Avoiding cold and hot foods and using toothpaste for sensitivity can help with any discomfort you feel.
How do I clean my bridge?
Floss can't pass through your teeth as usual because your fixed dental bridge joins teeth together. You may utilize a floss threader or water pick to help with plaque and tartar buildup. Learn more about a bridge for front teeth and back teeth by scheduling an appointment today.
How long does a bridge last?
When cared for properly with good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing twice regularly), regular cleanings, and exams, your bridge can last between 10 to 15 years.
Restore Your Smile After Tooth Loss
Losing a tooth does not have to diminish the quality of your smile. A fixed or removable dental bridge can effectively replace a missing tooth to restore your appearance, biting and chewing function, and self-confidence while helping to keep surrounding teeth in their proper places. If you need a tooth extraction or have lost a tooth, we encourage you to schedule a visit with skilled general dentist Dr. Nishino to learn about your tooth replacement options. Leaving teeth unreplaced may lead to more expensive care and greater treatment needs in the future. Reach out to Made Ya Smile Dental in Friendswood, TX today to schedule your tooth replacement consultation and get the solutions you need for a fantastic smile.