Are Dental Bridges a Good Idea?
Besides taking a toll on your self-esteem, missing teeth can impact your smile’s overall health. If you are looking for a treatment option for your missing teeth, you might want to understand all the treatment options available to you.
Once you’ve done so, you can establish the best option for you. Do you have one or several missing teeth? You might want to consider dental bridge treatment.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a dental device consisting of a single or several artificial teeth to replace missing teeth. These teeth are usually made from porcelain or resin to match the color of the existing teeth.
Commonly referred to as false teeth or partial dentures, dental bridges are linked to crowns that anchor them to the existing natural teeth.
If there are no natural teeth for support, our dentist in Rancho Cucamonga may recommend implanting teeth o each side of the bridge to hold it in place.
What to Expect
After you’ve discussed with your dentist and established that a dental bridge would be the best course of action, your dentist will begin preparing the abutment teeth. This procedure will be done on your first appointment while under local anesthesia.
On your second visit, our dentist will place it in position. Soon after your dental bridge installation, you may feel some weight in your mouth, but this shouldn’t worry you, as you will get accustomed to the prosthetic with time.
During your third and last follow-up exam, our dentist will inspect and adjust the bridge to ease any pain and discomfort.
How Many Teeth Can Be on a Bridge?
Depending on your needs, a dental bridge can replace up to four teeth. Generally, people replace only one or two teeth. However, on rare occasions, a dental bridge can have four teeth.
This is especially true when you have enough healthy teeth in your mouth cavity to connect with dental crowns.
Is a Bridge Cheaper Than an Implant?
A dental bridge’s initial price is considerably lower than that of a dental implant. However, in the long run, you will end up paying more for a bridge than you would for an implant.
This is so because dental implants can last all your life. Therefore, if you are operating on a tight budget, you might want to go for a dental bridge.
Can I Eat With Dental Bridges?
Yes, you will eat better with dental bridges, as filling the gaps makes it much more manageable.
At first, you might find it a bit challenging, but this will get better as you get accustomed to the bridges.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
This treatment comes with several advantages:
- Helping improve your bite
- Preventing the rest of the teeth from shifting position
- Restoring your speaking and chewing ability
- Restoring your smile
- It is Maintenance-free
Caring for Dental Bridges
A dental bridge’s success and longevity largely depend on the strength and health of your remaining teeth.
Therefore, once you get your dental bridge, it’s essential to prevent gum disease and tooth decay that could lead to tooth loss.
Here are some tips to consider:
- Floss once and brush twice daily: Our dentist will teach you the correct way to floss and brush. Also, you will need to get a special floss to maneuver between your gum and bridge.
- Go for regular professional cleanings: Doing so will ensure your dentist detects issues in their early stages, making treatment more likely to be successful.
- Eat healthy foods: Fruits, fiber, and vegetables should form a considerable chunk of your diet. Stay away from fibrous chewy foods like some types of meats.
Alternative Options
While dental bridges are an amazing treatment option, not everyone might be ideal for the procedure. If you are looking for an alternative option for replacing missing teeth, you might want to try dental implants.
One significant benefit of dental implants is that they place less pressure on the existing natural teeth while promoting gum health and bone structure.
Talent Dental is here to help if you are looking to get a dental bridge or have your old one replaced. We offer dental bridge treatment in Rancho Cucamonga and the surrounding communities.