Dental Bridge
A missing tooth doesn’t mean you’re in the clear with your dental health. As we learned, missing teeth can lead to much bigger issues down the road if you don’t seek treatment. If you or a loved one has a missing tooth, schedule an exam at one of our six San Diego locations as soon as possible. If the treatment is right for you, we can restore your smile’s health and natural look with a custom-made dental bridge.
Overview
When you’re missing one or more of your teeth, it can have a drastic effect on your dental health – not to mention the overall look of your smile. The gaps left by missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift, leading to several unfortunate complications. As you can imagine, with one or more missing teeth, your bite force suffers. The rest of your teeth are left to pick up the slack, which places an unhealthy amount of stress on them. Also, if missing teeth are left untreated, your jawbone could shrink, causing your lips and cheeks to sag and changing the shape of your face. Additionally, if you’re missing a tooth in the front of your mouth, it could affect your speech.
Thankfully, a dental bridge can fill in the gaps left by a missing tooth or teeth and prevent all of these issues from happening. Bridges keep your remaining teeth in place, resolve any speech issues, and preserve your smile’s natural look. At Dental Express, we create personalized bridges with top-quality materials to give you your smile back. If you think you could benefit from a bridge, get in touch with us at one of our San Diego locations. We’d love to answer any questions you have or schedule your next exam.
Best Candidates
To qualify for dental bridges, healthy gums and teeth are a must. Your remaining teeth need to be healthy and strong enough to provide a solid foundation for the treatment. When you come in for your exam, we’ll also make sure your jawbone is healthy enough to bear the burden of the bridge.
This is where your oral health routine comes in—schedule bi-annual dentist checkups and brush and floss at home every day. Also, make sure to eat a healthy balanced diet to ensure your teeth are healthy enough for this kind of treatment. If you qualify, we’ll help you choose the type of bridge that will work best for your smile.
What to Expect
Once we’ve finished your initial consultation and created your plan, the dental bridge treatment process usually takes two appointments to complete. The first appointment is for imaging and impressions to build your unique bridge. The second is for installation.
To begin, we’ll need to file down your surrounding teeth to make room for the bridge. Next, we take digital images and dental impressions to create your customized bridge. We’ll set you up with temporary crowns until your custom bridge is made. Once the permanent dental bridge is ready, we’ll schedule your next visit.
To start the treatment, we’ll numb your mouth with local anesthesia. If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, we’re happy to provide stronger anesthesia or sedation. Let your dentist know if you need an alternative sedation method to make your treatment more comfortable. When you’re ready, we’ll carefully set the bridge in place. Finally, we’ll adjust the bridge’s position to fit comfortably in your mouth.
Follow-Up
After your treatment, you’ll see and feel the results immediately. You’ll be able to eat, speak, and smile just like you used to. Following your treatment, your dental professional will go over at-home care for your restoration and let you know which foods to avoid. We may have you come in for a follow-up appointment to ensure the bridge is functioning correctly and make any necessary adjustments.
It’s important to note that bridges don’t prevent tooth decay. Consistent care and maintenance at home are essential to keep your mouth and restoration healthy. If you take care of it, your bridge can stay with you for years. And as always, make sure to attend your regular cleanings and exams at Dental Express. When you visit us, we’ll check to see if your bridge needs repairing or replacing. These appointments help us keep an eye on your dental health so you can enjoy a fully functioning smile for years to come. We want your dental health journey to be as smooth outside the office as it is inside. So please give us a call if you have any questions about your new smile. We’re always here to help.
Insurance Coverage
Typically, insurance companies cover part of your expenses for bridges and other dental restorations. Before your treatment, we’ll contact your provider to determine your coverage, benefits, and personal costs. One of our financial planners will meet with you to discuss how to get the most out of your benefits and find a solution that’s right for your budget. With several different payment methods, including medical financing, we’re prepared to find the most affordable option for you.
