Whether it happens from a lack of oral hygiene, an injury, or any other factor, tooth loss is possible at any point in your life. As you can imagine, losing a tooth can have negative effects on your mouth and overall health. Fortunately, the perfect solution to these situations comes in the form of dental bridges in Costa Mesa. They’ll allow you to enjoy a complete and fully functioning smile once again! If you’d like to find out whether or not this option is right for you, continue reading or schedule a consultation today.
A dental bridge is a custom-made prosthetic that’s crafted from natural-looking materials, such as ceramic and porcelain. Since these are color-matched to your enamel, they’ll blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth. No one will even be able to tell that you have a restoration! The prosthetic is usually comprised of two dental crowns located on either side of the artificial teeth, called pontics. As a result, they’ll essentially “bridge” the gaps in your smile.
The first step on your journey towards a complete smile is a consultation with our team. At Advanced Dental Care, we’ll perform a thorough oral examination and inquire about your goals to determine whether or not this restorative solution is right for you. Based on our findings, we’ll recommend one of the following options:
A traditional dental bridge is most commonly used to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. The prosthetic is anchored to your mouth with two dental crowns. For that reason, this method will require the alteration of your natural healthy teeth.
Alternatively, you can opt for a more permanent solution like implant bridges. These are secured to your mouth using two dental implants instead of crowns. Each implant is placed on either side of the gap in your smile. Once they’ve fused with the jawbone, we’ll be able to attach the dental bridge to your implants to replace your missing teeth. A significant advantage of this option is that it doesn’t require any alteration of your existing teeth.
Ready to say goodbye to the gaps in your smile? By replacing your missing teeth with dental bridges in Costa Mesa, you can enjoy the following incredible benefits:
No, you cannot take a dental bridge out on your own. They are designed to remain in your mouth for many years after placement. Should you need yours removed, you will need to see a dental professional for help.
Some healthcare professionals refer to partial dentures as “removable bridges,” although this isn’t exactly accurate. Partial dentures are similar to dental bridges in that they may replace multiple consecutive teeth; however, one of their key differences is that partial dentures can be removed by the patient at any time, while bridges can’t.
Before any work begins on your teeth to support your bridge, your dentist will first numb the teeth they’ll be working on. Typically, this only requires a topical anesthetic; however, severely nervous or anxious patients may benefit from sedation.
Following the preparation and placement of your dental bridge, the underlying teeth may feel sensitive for the next few days. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers should help, but please call us if your discomfort worsens instead of improves.
Because all bridges keep your remaining teeth from drifting out of place, they could potentially prevent further discomfort caused by dental drift later on.
If you’ll be getting an implant bridge, you’ll likely experience some soreness after your dental implant procedure, but you will be provided with aftercare instructions that can greatly minimize the pain during the healing process.
On average, you can expect your dental bridge to last somewhere between five and 15 years. However, this will vary depending on the material your bridge is made from. Bridges that are made of metal typically last longer than metal-free options, but not necessarily. Also, this difference is usually negligible at best.
More so than the material of your bridge, the longevity depends on a variety of individual factors like your diet, oral hygiene, and whether you have any problematic oral habits like smoking, nail biting, teeth grinding, or crunching ice.
Bridges that replace front teeth may also last a bit longer because they aren’t subjected to as much wear and tear from chewing as back teeth are.
If you have an implant bridge, it will likely last much longer than a traditional bridge. Although the restoration itself may need to be replaced eventually, the implant posts should remain in place for several decades or a lifetime with proper care.
No. Although partial dentures are sometimes referred to as “removable bridges,” they are not the same thing as a traditional fixed dental bridge.
Dental bridges are designed to stay in place for many years and can only be removed by a dentist, but a patient can remove a partial denture themself at any time.
The other key difference is that a dental bridge can only replace missing teeth if they’re consecutive, whereas partial dentures can replace several teeth at various points along the arch.
Bridges are also anchored in place via crowns that are fitted over two healthy “abutment” teeth, while partials typically rely on metal clips or clasps that go behind the natural teeth.
At your dental bridge consultation, your dentist will review your options to determine which tooth replacement option is best for your individual needs.
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