When you’re missing between one and four consecutive teeth, it can create more than simple aesthetic problems. Losing permanent teeth can make it difficult to eat, speak, and smile confidently, putting your oral, mental, and physical health in jeopardy. Durable, lifelike dental bridges in Selbyville attach to two healthy abutment teeth and can replace up to four consecutive missing teeth. This not only creates a more beautiful, healthy smile, but it also helps prevent dangerous side effects of tooth loss like malnutrition and tooth drift. Contact us to learn more about dental bridges today.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth replacement that can replace between one and four consecutive missing teeth by anchoring to two healthy abutment teeth on either side of the gap. While they can be used to replace up to four teeth, they are typically used to replace just one or two. This is because the longer the bridge extends, the less stable it can become.
If you are missing between one and four consecutive teeth that are surrounded by two healthy teeth, you may be an ideal candidate for a dental bridge. At Kramer Dental, we are proud to offer dental bridges in a variety of materials, including gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are two types of dental bridges available: traditional dental bridges which secure to two healthy teeth, and implant bridges, which are permanently attached to the arch via dental implants. To determine which option is best for your smile, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Kramer.
Traditional Dental Bridges
Traditional dental bridges can be made of a variety of materials and can replace up to four missing teeth in a row. They are cemented in place with two crowns and therefore require two healthy teeth to attach to. These restorations can last up to 10 or more years and cannot be removed by the patient.
Implant Bridges
Much like traditional bridges, implant bridges can replace multiple consecutive teeth at once. However, unlike traditional bridges they do not require the alteration of healthy teeth. Instead, they are permanently attached to the jaw via dental implants. This means that you do not need to have abutment teeth surrounding the gaps in your smile, nor do you need to worry about replacing your prosthetic in 10 to 15 years like you would with a traditional bridge.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
When you’re missing teeth, it can take its toll on your mental, oral, and overall health. Dental bridges were designed to solve these problems by closing the gaps in your arches and bringing back your healthy, beautiful smile. Dental bridges can prevent a variety of issues, including:
- Teeth shifting into misalignment to close the gap in your arch.
- Decreased confidence and self-esteem.
- Difficulties eating and speaking.
- Increased risk of oral health problems.
Don’t let gaps in your arch keep you from enjoying all the benefits of a complete set of teeth. Schedule a consultation for a dental bridge with Dr. Kramer today and bridge the gap to a healthier, more beautiful smile.
Are Dental Bridges Safe?
When placed by a qualified dentist, a dental bridge is perfectly safe. The device won’t do any harm to your mouth; it’ll just restore your smile!
Today’s bridges don’t use any dangerous materials. Those containing metal lack mercury, and tooth-colored ones with ceramic and zirconia also have zero toxins. The most a patient might experience from a bridge is a slight allergic reaction (either to metal or porcelain), and even that risk is very low.
With all that said, please call us if you suffer red, irritated, and swollen gums after bridge treatment. You may be facing an allergic reaction in that scenario.
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?
You should generally expect a dental bridge to last five to fifteen years. That said, how long your device works will depend on a wide range of elements.
The most notable of these factors is your lifestyle. Over time, matters like your diet, oral hygiene, and bad oral habits (if any) can greatly impact your bridge’s lifespan. A well-kept smile will lead your device to last longer than usual, while a poorly-maintained one will make your restorations fail early.
Another influential factor is your device’s material. In many cases, a metal bridge will last longer than a metal-free one because it has higher durability.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
A dental bridge can replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth, depending on a patient’s needs. However, dentists usually have this device “restore” a tooth or two at most.
This restriction stems from how bridges are designed. As they extend further, they become increasingly unstable and prone to failure, especially so if the “abutments” aren’t strong or healthy. That means a bridge is much more likely to fall apart if it tries to replace three or more teeth at once.
If there’s any exception to this rule, it’s the implant bridge. This type relies on dental implants – metal posts placed in the jaw – instead of natural teeth for support. As such, it can extend far without threat of failure.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
Your dental bridge should feel natural within a few days of its placement. To that extent, it shouldn’t cause disruptive sensations or situations for you.
The fact is that dental bridges are made from highly durable materials. Due to this makeup, they can withstand everyday chewing forces as easily as enamel can. You shouldn’t expect eating with your own bridge to feel strange.
More crucially, every dental bridge is customized for its patient. A dental lab will tailor your own to fit snugly and precisely, without any obtrusive parts jutting out. The final restoration will thus feel like a natural part of your smile, rather than an odd foreign object.
