Top 10 Dental Bridges FAQ

Patients with missing teeth can feel self-conscious about their smile and experience difficulty chewing food and oral hygiene. Fortunately, dental bridges give a solution to replace your lost teeth and restore your beautiful smile and bite function. When considering dental bridges, you might wonder what the treatment entails, your options, benefits, costs, and much more. To help you make an informed decision, below, we answer the top 10 most frequently asked questions about dental bridges that you should know.

• • What are dental bridges?

A tooth bridge is a dental prosthesis used to replace missing teeth. A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth and can replace more than three missing adjacents to each other. It’s fixed and thus can’t be removed without your dentist’s help. Your natural teeth or dental implants support bridges. They are customized to look, function, and feel like real teeth.

• • What are the benefits of dental bridges?

The primary benefit of getting a bridge is to close gaps from missing teeth. It improves your oral appearance, allows you to chew food much easier, pronounce words better, and improves oral hygiene and health. Dental bridges also support your facial muscles, preventing facial sagging and wrinkles. Bridges also prevent healthy teeth next to the gaps from drifting out of position.

• • What are the key risks of dental bridges?

The main downside of teeth bridges is that they require support from your natural teeth, which can significantly weaken them (except for implant-supported bridges). Similarly, it’s possible to develop decay under the bridge, leading to further complications. Fortunately, you can avoid this with proper oral hygiene and habits.

• • How long do teeth bridges last?

The lifespan of your bridge depends on the patient’s oral hygiene and habits, type of bridge, location of the bridge, lifestyle habits, and other factors. On average, dental bridges lasts for 10 – 15 years or longer. Implant-supported bridges can last for more than 20 years.

• • Are there different types of dental bridges available?

There are four main types of teeth bridges:

• • • Traditional bridges: They are the most common. The bridge is supported by dental crowns attached to healthy teeth adjacent to the teeth gaps.
    • Cantilever bridges: Like a traditional bridge, cantilever bridges are supported by dental crowns but only on one side of the gap.
    • Maryland bridges: These bridges are supported by frameworks attached to adjacent teeth. The anchor teeth don’t need to be filled down.
    • Implant-supported bridges: The dentist uses dental implants instead of using natural teeth to hold the bridge.
  • When would I need an implant-supported bridge?

Traditional and cartilage bridges require tooth shaving, which can significantly weaken them. Using implants to support a bridge is a more conservative option. Implant-supported bridges are a great option if you’re looking for a more stable and long-lasting alternative to traditional bridges but don’t qualify for traditional dental implants due to insufficient jawbone density.

• • What can I expect during the dental implant bridge process?

The procedure of an implant-supported bridge begins by fixing implant screws or posts into the jawbone. The implants fuse with the underlying jawbone in the process of osseointegration. Once the fusing is complete, the dentist will attach the dental bridge to the implant. The entire process can take 3 – 9 months, depending on the patient.

• • What are the benefits of an implant-supported bridge?

Unlike other bridges supported by crowns and frameworks attached to your natural teeth, implant-supported bridges are attached to implants fixed into the jawbone. Therefore, they provide better stability, comfort, and bite strength. Most patients also prefer the feel and appearance of implant-supported bridges over traditional bridges or dentures.

• • How do you care for dental bridges?

Caring for dental bridges is typically easy. Unlike dentures, you don’t have to remove them or soak them in special solutions. To care for your bridges:

• • • Brush at least twice daily.
    • Floss well, especially under the bridge.
    • Schedule routine dental checkups.
    • Have professional cleanings every six months.
    • Avoid chewing hard, chewy, and crunchy foods.
  • How much do dental bridges cost?

The price of dental bridges depends on the type and materials used, the location of the missing teeth, the number of missing teeth, and other factors. Traditional or cantilever bridges typically cost about $2,000 – $5,000. Implant-supported bridges cost about $5,000 – $15,000.

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Ready to restore your smile and bite function with dental bridges? Contact Beautiful South Shore Smiles for more information.