Dental Bridges
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a restoration used to replace a single tooth or multiple adjacent missing teeth. Traditionally, bridges consist of an artificial tooth and two or more dental crowns, which are fused to the surrounding healthy teeth to fill, or “bridge,” gaps in the mouth. A popular example of both the restorative and cosmetic categories of dentistry, dental bridges can ease damage that missing teeth often cause, including misalignment, tooth decay, issues with speaking and chewing, and more. Not only can bridges restore proper function to the bite, but they can also improve the aesthetic quality of your smile.
Our cosmetic dentist, Justin Roberts, DDS, has placed a number of dental bridges to improve the oral health and function of countless patients. Using advanced imaging technology and durable, beautiful porcelain crowns, we custom-design each dental bridge to fit comfortably in your mouth while looking as natural as possible.
What Does the Dental Bridge Procedure Involve?
After you are determined a good candidate for a dental bridge, the remainder of the process can usually be completed in two office visits. Firstly, Dr. Roberts will determine the best type of bridge to meet your needs. Several types of dental bridges exist, including:
- Fixed dental bridges, the most common variety, which consist of a pontic (or series of replacement teeth) anchored in place by two adjacent crowns.
- Maryland dental bridges, typically used to replace the front teeth, which are bonded to the back of adjacent teeth with metal bands (or “wings”).
- Cantilever dental bridges are designed to replace teeth with only one abutment for support and consist of a single crown; in this case, the artificial tooth extends from the abutment to fill the gap.
Once Dr. Roberts has helped you choose one of the above options, he will thoroughly clean and prepare the abutment teeth for the procedure. A mold will be taken of the treatment area, and Dr. Roberts will match the shade of your teeth to color swatches for natural-looking crowns. You may be given a temporary bridge while the permanent prosthesis is being crafted. During your next visit, Dr. Roberts will place the newly-created bridge into your mouth to ensure a proper fit before bonding it to the abutment teeth. Note that the procedure is not considered especially invasive or uncomfortable.
How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?
High-quality dental bridges made of durable materials can last up to 15 years. In order to reap the full benefits of your dental bridges, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing, and attending your cleanings and oral exams.
How Much Do Dental Bridges Cost?
A three-unit bridge in our office costs $3600; otherwise, the price is contingent upon a number of factors, such as the type of bridge being applied, the number of teeth being replaced, and more. That said, our team at Roberts Dental Group always aims to make the payment process as stress-free as possible. We will discuss the plan with you and determine the price of your custom restoration during your consultation.
In the meantime, we invite you to explore our financial options. In addition to accepting several forms of payment, we proudly work with CareCredit®, a third-party financing option with low- to no-interest plans to help eligible patients pay for treatment in installments.
Please also feel free to schedule your consultation with Dr. Roberts today.