Replacing Missing Teeth With Bridges
If you are in need of a non removable dental bridge, you can trust the team of oral health professionals at Independence Dental Group to provide the best and most affordable dental bridges in Philadelphia. Our dental bridge services come in the form of fixed bridge surgery and other kinds of dental implant supported bridge and procedure. Whether you need a dental bridge for your front teeth or a dental bridge for your back teeth, our dental reconstruction center is fully equipped to assist our patients with the mouth restoration process.
Bridges are non-removable and are most commonly made of porcelain and gold. A fixed bridge will not only replace missing teeth, it will also create a normal bite, eliminate over eruption of surrounding teeth, prevent the tilting of adjacent teeth and inhibit and hinder onset of periodontal disease. One of the most important effects of fixed bridges is making you able to properly chew on your food properly, which will make eating much more comfortable. They last for quite a long time, however re-cementing or replacing a bridge is at times necessary. Proper oral care and regular dental visits will help extend the life of your fixed bridge.
The people of Independence Dental Group know that having a full mouth reconstruction procedure can enhance the strength of your dental structure, resulting into healthier mouth. We pride ourselves on our low cost fixed dental bridge cost that allows our patients to take this opportunity without jeopardizing their savings. We prioritize comfort and efficiency, ensuring the best possible experience when you are coming in for your dental work. You will get a better idea of how this on-lay procedure works on your first visit. Call us to book your appointment today!
Types of Dental Bridges
In a normal, healthy mouth, each upper tooth contacts the corresponding lower tooth allowing for a well-balanced chewing function. Losing a tooth can quickly destroy this balance. When this balance between healthy teeth is lost, the companion teeth lose support, causing problems like drifting, shifting, abnormal decay and periodontal disease. The neighbouring teeth are quickly subjected to these conditions and with each lost tooth, the problems are magnified and the destructive cycle continues.
Fixed bridges are easily attached to abutment teeth. The pontic, which is the part of the bridge which actually replaces the missing tooth) is attached to a crown which is then affixed to the abutment teeth. The entire fixed bridge is then permanently cemented back in place. This work takes only a few office visits to complete. Fixed bridges
In order to avoid these issues, patients should know that getting a dental bridge done can come in many different forms. If you want a fixed bridge for a missing tooth, it’s important to remain aware of the different types of dental bridges in order to approach your procedure with care.
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Traditional Bridges
A traditional dental bridge is composed of one or more false teeth adhered to the adjacent natural teeth, also referred to as the abutment/anchoring teeth. These abutment teeth are reinforced with crowns, and the pontics are usually made out of porcelain fused to ceramics or metal.
A traditional dental bridge can be used when you have healthy, natural teeth on both sides of the gap. Before the crowns can be placed, the two abutment teeth will need to be reshaped to make enough room for the crown that will be cemented on top and ensure they’re strong enough to support the bridge.
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Cantilever Bridges
Although similar to a traditional bridge, the cantilever bridge uses an abutment tooth on only one side of the gap. It can be used when there are no teeth on one side of the missing tooth or when the adjacent teeth on one side of the gap are part of another prosthetic restoration.
As with a traditional bridge, the enamel is removed from the abutment tooth to ensure stability. While the necessity of only one abutment tooth makes this option versatile, a cantilever dental bridge cannot withstand as much biting force and can only be placed towards the front of the mouth.
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Maryland Bridges
Similar to a traditional bridge, a Maryland bonded bridge uses two adjacent natural teeth on each side of the gap. However, instead of using dental crowns, it uses a porcelain or metal framework that is bonded onto the backs of the abutment teeth. It is also considered a more conservative alternative to traditional bridges because the adjacent teeth don’t need to be filed for the placement of crowns.
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Implant-Supported Bridges
An implant-supported bridge is anchored in place with dental implants as opposed to frameworks or crowns. The procedure involves surgically embedding the implants into your jawbone, with one implant for every missing tooth. These implants hold the bridge in place. If it’s not possible to have one implant for each missing tooth, a pontic may be suspended between two implant-supported crowns.
Implant-supported bridges are incredibly strong, durable, and able to restore normal function. The placement of this type of dental bridge is more invasive, and you’ll need to undergo two surgeries. The first involves embedding the implants in the jawbone, and the second one is for placing the bridge. So expect that the process can take a number of months to be completed.
Benefits of Bridges
- One such benefit is the improvement of your smile. Dental bridges are recommended for patients who have missing teeth and who would like to restore said smile. When you feel confident about the appearance of your smile, you smile more often and that improves your quality of life. This is an important consideration when trying to decide whether a dental bridge is the right option for you. The dental bridges are also one of the fastest tooth replacement options, allowing you to restore your smile quickly.
- Another important benefit is the ability to chew properly and to speak clearly. After a patient loses a tooth, it can be challenging or uncomfortable to chew certain types of food. And the pronunciation of words can also suffer. Fixed bridge teeth can solve these issues.
- If you lose a tooth, the jawbone may start to deteriorate under the area where there’s a gap. Tooth roots stimulate the jawbone to produce bone cells. The procedure for dental bridges is so important because you have to to make sure that area of the gums where the tooth is missing is still stimulated.
- A fixed bridge tooth can help you keep your natural teeth in place. When you fill in gaps along your gum line with a restorative element like a dental bridge, your remaining teeth are much less likely to drift and to become loose.
How to Care for Dental Bridge
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Proper care for your dental bridge is crucial to prevent the surrounding teeth in your mouth from being damaged or hurt while preventing any further tooth decay. A tooth bridge is permanent regardless of how it’s implemented, so you will have to learn to adapt to the existence of teeth bridge and how to properly care for them.
Oral Hygiene
- Brush twice daily: using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean your teeth for 2-3 minutes. Make sure you brush all the surfaces of your teeth.
- Floss nightly: Flossing helps remove plaque build-up in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, like in between the teeth. It helps keep gums healthy, too. Special flossing devices called threaders allow you to floss beneath your dental bridge; a member of your dental care team will show you how to use a threader.
- Use antiseptic mouthwash: antiseptic mouthwash protects the surface of your teeth from a wide range of microbes. Look for a mouthwash with the CDA seal.
Pain Maintenance
- It is normal for your dental bridge to cause some soreness after you first receive it. The pain should subside within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. However, if the pain lasts for longer then a week, it may be a sign of infection or a badly fitted dental bridge.
- To avoid complications with your dental bridge, you should be sure to follow an excellent oral hygiene routine of brushing for at least two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day. Make sure that you floss around your dental bridge and that you follow your dentist’s instructions on how to clean around it.
Avoid Chewing on ‘Forbidden’ Foods
- Maintaining a healthy diet is beneficial to your whole body, including your teeth. Eating too many sugary foods can have an impact on your oral hygiene, limiting them may help manage dental problems.
- When you’re searching for a snack, opt for raw vegetables or fruit. They stimulate your gums as you chew, promote the release of saliva, and help keep teeth clean. Dairy products like unsweetened yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese offer dental benefits with high calcium and protein content.
Why Choose Our Dentist for Dental Bridges?
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With a belief that clients need to be informed on the science behind getting a permanent bridge made for a missing tooth, Independence Dental Group has the best dentist for full mouth reconstruction and restorative dental specialists in Philadelphia. Our center for dental reconstruction is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide all the necessary x-rays and 3D models of prosthetics that define the highest level of patient care we strive for.
What sets us apart is our facilities and that our well-trained, professional medical specialists only use the best materials & techniques to complete any dental procedure no matter how complex, at a price better than the average cost for dental bridges. We have an on-site, dental lab, and CT imaging which will help with the fixed bridge cost as we do not have to refer you to multiple specialists for each stage of the rehabilitation process.
We pride ourselves on our high quality, affordable dental bridges. Indeed, by “affordable”, we mean you can trust our independent, locally-owned practice to provide the perfect solution for your teeth at a more budget-friendly price than the typical fixed bridge cost. Contact us today to book an appointment and get things started.
FAQs for Dental bridges
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a permanent form of dental restoration that replaces missing teeth. It extends across a toothless area and is typically made up of an artificial tooth fused between 2 crowns, which are hollow, artificial teeth that fits over a natural tooth or a dental implant. The bridge is held firmly in place by your own teeth on each side of the missing one(s) or by dental implants.
How Much Does a Fixed Bridge Cost?
Dental bridge costs are on average $500 to $1,500 for a traditional fixed crown and bridge and as much as $2,300 for a bonded bridge. However, the cost of a fixed bridge varies on an individual basis and depends on the materials, as well as your dentist.
Choosing the Right Dentist
When looking for the right dentist that does inlays and onlays, you must go to a dental office where they perform these types of procedures. This way, you can have someone who knows exactly what they’re doing and who has all the necessary training to get the job done.
At Independence Dental Group, we want our patients to be very comfortable during their visits. We want them to feel like part of a dental office family, so we strive for the best possible experience when you are coming in for your dental work! You will get a better idea of how this permanent onlay procedure works on your first visit. Call us to book your appointment today and get your oral health back to the way it was!
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