Huffman Smiles

Blog

Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

6 Things To Know Before Considering A Dental Bridge

Are you interested in enhancing your smile and dental health with a dental bridge? Well, if this is your plan then it’s important to be conversant with necessary details before making any decision. It may be the perfect fix for missing teeth; however, there are also certain things you ought to know. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact our Huffman Dental Office TX team. Below are six key things that should be known before settling on a dental bridge.

1. What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is used as an artificial replacement for one or more missing teeth. It includes two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and an artificial tooth (or teeth) in between.

So how does it work? The false tooth/teeth called prosthetic teeth are anchored by the crown (s) which act as abutments on either side of the gap created by a missing tooth/teeth and existing natural teeth or implants, thus bridging them together.

Is it noticeable? This recent type of dental bridge was made to appear more like other normal ones, hence blending well with regular ones.

2. Types of Dental Bridges

Do you know that there are different types of dental bridges? These can help you choose what suits your specific case best.

  • Traditional Bridges: They are constructed by producing crowns for both sides of the lost tooth with pontic in-between.
  • Cantilever Bridges: A cantilever bridge might be used in cases when there are only adjacent teeth present from one side of a lost tooth.
  • Maryland Bonded Bridges: There are metallic wings at each end that would connect these existing natural teeth, say porcelain-metallic ones.

So which one should you go for? The choice depends upon where the gaps are situated within your mouth and whether or not they lie next to healthy enough teeth; the experts at Huffman Dental Office TX can help you in this respect.

3. The Process to Get a Dental Bridge

What does it entail? A dentist may have to be visited several times before one gets a dental bridge.

  • The initial visit: An evaluation of your mouth by your dentist will help ascertain the best type of bridge that will suit you.
  • Preparation: The crown is made by re-shaping the abutment teeth. You will also get an impression of your teeth to make a model for creating the bridge.
  • Temporary Bridge: This protects exposed teeth and gums while waiting for permanent bridges to be prepared.
  • Fitting: Once ready, a permanent bridge should be put in place, then adjusted and cemented.

4. Why you should get dental bridges

Why do you need a dental bridge? Explore some of the key benefits:

  • Enhanced Look: A dental bridge can bring back your smile and improve your appearance.
  • Recovered Functions: You will be able to talk and chew properly if you have a bridge.
  • Maintaining facial shape. When there are missing teeth, it makes the face appear sagged down. Having a bridge keeps your face in its natural form.

Teeth Shifting Prevention. The remaining teeth won’t move from their current positions if they’ve been fitted with a bridge.

5. Taking Care of Your Dental Bridge

What can you do to make sure that your dental bridge stays intact? Good care is vital for the long life of a dental bridge.

  • Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly is necessary, as is any other natural tooth. Special floss will help clean around the bridge area.
  • Regular Checkups: For safety reasons, it’s important to visit your dentist often so that he or she can examine the status of your dental bridges.
  • Avoid Hard Foods: Do not use force when eating since it may break the machine used in making the bridges. Be careful about what goes into your mouth to avoid undue wear and tear on these structures.

6. Cost and Insurance Coverage

Are dental bridges ever affordable? The cost depends on factors such as type, materials used, and complexity of placement among others which vary from one case to another.

  • Insurance: Most insurance covers part of the expenditure incurred during the acquisition of a surgical bridge. Contact Huffman Smiles or ask them how much money insurance has set aside for taking care of patients like you who would want dental bridges.
  • Payment Plans: Never let price intimidate you from getting an implant done because at Huffman Smiles we offer different payment plans and financing alternatives to give our clients easy access to oral healthcare without any worries.

Conclusion: Your Dental Health Matters

The decision to choose a dental bridge is important as it has great implications for an individual’s oral health and life. At Huffman Dental Office TX, we are dedicated to providing you with the most exceptional dental treatment and personalized strategies that would suit your needs. If you think a dental bridge may be right for you, whether you’ve lost one tooth or multiple teeth, contact our nearest office today.

Want to know more about dental bridges? Our staff at Huffman Smiles will offer you all the help you need. Book a consultation today and begin your journey towards a happier, healthier smile.