Dental Bridges In Mahopac
Did you know…
Once in place, a dental bridge prevents the nearby teeth from shifting toward the empty spaces in your mouth, preserving the alignment of your smile.
How It Works: The Dental Bridge Process
Initial consultation
First, you’ll meet with Dr. L at our office in Mahopac. He will examine your mouth and discuss your options for tooth replacement. Dental bridges aren’t your only option! Depending on your situation, you may also be a good candidate for partial dentures or even dental implants. Dr. L will work with you to determine the right treatment for your case, your budget, and your preferences.
Tooth prep and bridge fitting
If you’re approved for a bridge, Dr. L will schedule your next appointment. At this appointment, he will clean and numb your mouth, then remove some enamel from the two teeth near the gap in your smile. This is done to make room for your dental crowns. Then, he will take impressions and scans of your teeth, and send these to our partner dental lab.
Creating your bridge
After your initial bridge fitting, you’ll be sent home with temporary dental crowns or a temporary bridge. Then, our partner dental lab will use the impressions taken by Dr. L to create your permanent bridge out of durable, tooth-colored porcelain. This may take 2-3 weeks.
Permanent bridge placement
Once your permanent bridge arrives at Landman Dentistry by the Lake, you’ll come in for your final appointment. Dr. L will remove your temporaries, then make sure your porcelain bridge fits perfectly. If everything looks good, he will bond your bridge in place permanently. After a quick polish, you’ll be sent home to enjoy your new smile!
The Benefits Of Dental Bridges
Looks And Feels Natural
Unlike dentures, dental bridges are tightly anchored to your natural teeth. This means they will never move or shift, and they look and feel very natural. Your new bridge will let you eat, chew, speak, and smile with confidence!
Requires Minimal Special Care
Dental bridges also don’t have to be removed, unlike partial dentures. To care for your new smile, you’ll just need to brush normally and floss underneath your bridge to clean away food particles. It’s easy!
Affordable Tooth Replacement
Dental bridges are typically cheaper than dental implants, and are covered by most dental insurance policies, too. If you’re on a tight budget, this makes them a solid choice for replacing your missing teeth.
Did you know…
After your initial bridge fitting, you’ll be sent home with temporary bridge.
Have Questions About Dental Bridges? Find Answers Here
How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
This depends on how well you care for your bridges, as well as the quality and craftsmanship of each bridge. Generally speaking, you can expect a bridge to last 5-7 years, but many patients keep their bridges for 10+ years without any issues. To maximize the lifespan of your bridges, make sure you follow Dr. L’s care instructions, maintain good oral hygiene, and make sure to visit the team at Landman Dentistry by the Lake for checkups every six months.
How Many Teeth Can A Bridge Replace?
Usually, dental bridges are used to replace a row of 1-2 missing teeth. However, in some cases, they may be used to replace 3-4 missing teeth. However, as a bridge gets bigger and replaces more teeth, it becomes less stable, so using a bridge to replace 3-4 missing teeth may not always be an option.
How Much Should I Expect to Pay for Dental Bridges?
The cost of a dental bridge can vary depending on the type of dental bridge and the number of teeth that need replacement. A one-unit traditional bridge can cost between $1,500 to $2,500, while a three-unit bridge can cost about $4,500 to $7,500.
Ceramic and porcelain-fused-to-metal bridges are more expensive than traditional bridges, costing $2,000 to $3,500 a unit. A three-unit unit bridge costs anywhere from $6,000 to $10,500. Consult with Landman Dentistry to get accurate estimates of dental bridge treatments.
What Are the Requirements for Getting Dental Bridges?
For starters, dental bridges are only suitable for patients with one or more missing teeth. The teeth adjacent to the missing teeth must also be strong and sturdy enough to support the restoration. Alternatively, they could recommend implant-supported bridges that use dental implants for support.
Additionally, you must be in proper dental and overall health to qualify for dental bridges. Patients with gum disease or deteriorated jawbones may not qualify for the procedure. This is especially true for patients getting implant-supported bridges since there won’t be enough jawbone to anchor the implants.
How Complicated Is the Procedure for Getting Dental Bridges?
Getting dental bridges is far from complicated, provided you find the right dentist for the job. The complexity of the procedure also depends on the type of dental bridge, the number of missing teeth, and other factors.
That said, the dental bridge usually takes place in two sessions. The first session involves evaluating your dental health and oral cavity and getting impressions of your teeth. The dentist then sends these impressions to a lab to fabricate your bridges. The second session takes place after two weeks and involves placing and fitting the now-fabricated bridges in your mouth.
How Many Types of Dental Bridges Can You Opt For?
After conducting a few tests, the dentist will decide the best type of dental bridge for you. There are four main types of dental bridges available for replacing missing teeth.
Traditional dental bridges are the most common type of dental bridge. These consist of prosthetic teeth held in place by dental crowns on either side of the gap. Cantilever dental bridges, on the other hand, use a single crown adjacent to the missing tooth to support the bridge.
Maryland bridges consist of a prosthetic tooth with porcelain wings on either side that the dentist bonds to the back of the teeth adjacent to the gap with strong adhesive. Implant-supported bridges work like traditional bridges but instead, use implants to support the bridge.
How Long Does Healing Take After Getting Dental Bridges?
Healing times after dental bridge treatment varies from one patient to the next. However, patients take about one or two weeks to heal. This is enough time for the tissue to heal and for you to get used to having the bridge in your mouth. The dentist will advise you on the best way to promote healing, including what to eat, what to avoid, and how to maintain proper oral hygiene while having the dental bridge.