Dental Bridges

Decaying or missing teeth can affect your appearance, ability to eat certain foods and quality of life. If you have lost one or more teeth due to decay, trauma, or a congenital condition, or have damaged teeth that cannot be restored, dental bridges from Washington Court House Dental can help restore your smile and tooth functionality.

What are Dental Bridges?

As the name suggests, a dental bridge is a tooth restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by bridging the gap left behind. A bridge comprises a false tooth called a pontic held in place by abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Abutment teeth are healthy, natural teeth fitted with dental crowns to support the bridge.

Depending on the number of consecutive teeth you are missing, your bridge could be three or more units, two crowns cemented to the teeth on either side of the space, plus one or more false teeth to fill the space. Dental bridges can be made from various materials, like porcelain, ceramic, zirconium, and composites.

Benefits of a Dental Bridge

There are several benefits of replacing your missing or severely decayed, or broken teeth with a tooth bridge:

Helps restore a smile: One of the main benefits of a dental bridge is its ability to restore your smile. A bridge closes the gap between your teeth, creating a uniform, beautiful smile.
Restore pronunciation and chewing function: Bridges can improve your ability to eat and correct any speech issues due to missing teeth. You’ll be able to speak correctly and enjoy all your favorite foods.
Maintain bite: When you leave a gap for too long, it can cause your teeth to shift out of position, leading to an awkward bite, speech problems, or TMJ issues. Replacing the teeth with bridges will eliminate the gap and prevent your teeth from shifting.
Improved oral health: A gap between your teeth makes it easier for food particles to get trapped between your teeth, allowing bacteria to build up and cause cavities and gum disease.

Getting a Dental Bridge

Getting a dental bridge at Washington Court House Dental usually takes two appointments:

Initial Appointment: During your first appointment, your teeth are prepared to receive the bridge. Preparation involves reshaping the abutment teeth to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. You’ll be given a local anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, we’ll take a digital impression of your teeth and send them to the lab for bridge fabrication. We’ll place a temporary bridge to protect exposed teeth and gums.
Appointment for bridge placement: Once your bridge is ready, you’ll come in for your second appointment to have them placed. We’ll remove the temporary one and place the permanent bridge, making any necessary adjustments to ensure it fits perfectly.

How Long Will A Tooth Bridge Last?

A dental bridge can last 5-15 years, depending on how well you care for it. Maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily. You also need to schedule regular dental visits for cleaning and oral exams, which will help keep track of your oral health.

Tooth Bridge Cost

The cost of a dental bridge varies depending on several factors, such as how many teeth are being replaced, the complexity of the placement, and the materials used. Generally, you can expect to pay $2,000–$5,000 for one pontic and a crown for each abutment tooth, but since most dental insurance providers cover bridges, you may not have to pay anything out of pocket.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

With dental bridges, a missing or damaged tooth doesn’t have to affect your smile or the overall condition of your mouth. If you’re looking for a long-lasting solution for your missing teeth in Washington Court House, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We will examine you and develop a custom treatment plan to restore your smile.