If you have a missing tooth, you have several options for restoring your smile, including a fixed bridge from a North Long Beach dentist.
Dental bridges consist of three fused components (units): A fake tooth and two crowns on either side to provide support. The bridge is permanently cemented, providing a long-term, comfortable solution to missing teeth.
Missing teeth can harm your teeth, gums, and jaw joints. When you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth shift to fill the space, throwing off your bite (malocclusion). When your bite is out of alignment, some teeth take more of the bite force than others. This can contribute to the following:
Chipped enamel
Cracked teeth
Broken teeth
Bruised/sore teeth
Additionally, malocclusion strains the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of your face and neck, as well as your jaw joints. The result is:
Facial pain
Chronic headaches or migraines
Difficulty chewing
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
Earaches
Lockjaw
A dental bridge preserves your ideal occlusion (bite) to help prevent tooth and jaw joint damage and the pain that can result. Fixed bridges also make chewing more comfortable.
Dentist of Bixby Knolls offers three types of fixed bridges.
Traditional bridges: A traditional bridge consists of at least three units – the fake tooth (pontic) and two crowns (abutments) that fit over the adjacent teeth
Maryland bridges: This bridge consists of a single unit – the fake tooth – which has metal or porcelain wings that are fixed to the back of adjacent teeth
Cantilever bridge: Similar to a traditional bridge, a cantilever bridge has a pontic that’s fused to a single crown that fits on only one adjacent tooth
Patients can get a removable partial denture instead of a fixed bridge to restore one or more missing teeth.
The benefits of a removable partial denture are its affordability and the ability to remove it to clean. A bridge can be a bit harder to clean because you need to thread floss through the bridge to clean under it and the sides of the adjacent teeth.
However, many patients upgrade from a removable partial denture to a fixed bridge because they find the denture less comfortable. It can rub against and irritate the gum tissue. Some also comment that it feels bulky and takes some time to get used to talking and eating with it.
Patients with fixed bridges eat with confidence because they know their bridge will never move. Talking and eating feel natural, too.
Fixed bridges can last between five to 15 years. A dental bridge can last a long time if patients:
Eat a healthy diet
Practice good oral hygiene
Avoid using their teeth as tools
Visit their dentist at least twice a year
The cost of your dental bridge will vary based on the size and type of bridge needed. Many dental insurance companies will pay a portion of a bridge (often 50% up to your annual maximum).
Talk to our team to learn more about how much your insurance will cover and what co-pay you can expect. We’re also happy to discuss payment plans and outside financing options.
A fixed dental bridge is an investment in your oral health. Not only will you restore your smile, but you’ll protect adjacent teeth and your jaw joints from strain and long-term damage. Talk to your dentist to find out if you’re a good candidate for a fixed dental bridge.
Contact us today at (562) 287-5175 to learn more about fixed bridges in North Long Beach.
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