What to Know About Dental Bridges
Losing a tooth or more is stressful. It affects both your physical and emotional health. Your bite, smile, and confidence are all affected. It can make you fear to talk in front of people or even smiling. Luckily, there are a few ways of fixing this problem. One of the most common is dental bridges.
In this article, we will discuss more about dental bridges so you can make a decision if they are the right choice for you or not.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Bridges are dental tools made from two or more crowns to replace one or more missing teeth. The dental bridge is cemented on the socket, meaning it is not removable, unlike dentures. Bridges are made of different materials. The most common ones are gold, porcelain, resin, and ceramics.
Advantages of Dental Bridges
- Restores your smile
- Restores your ability to chew properly
- Improves your speech. After you lose a tooth or more, your speech is affected negatively. A dental bridge helps restore the speech you had before you lost the teeth
- Maintains the shape of your face. Missing teeth affect your face’s shape, but a dental bridge can help fix that.
- Prevent the remaining teeth from drifting to the space left after you lose teeth. If the remaining teeth start drifting towards the spaces left, it affects the alignment of your teeth
Disadvantages of Dental Bridges
Your teeth structure is taken away to prepare for the bridge. It is not much of a problem if the teeth are heavily decayed. However, if the teeth had never had fillings before and are in good health, having them cut is not a brilliant idea. Maybe a dental implant is a better solution here.
How Many Dentist Visits Are Required?
Well, dental bridges are not dental bondings that only require a single visit to the dentist. With bridges, you will need to visit the dentist at least twice. During the first visit, you will discuss whether a bridge is a right treatment or not. The dentist will then conduct an X-ray check to check your dental health as well as if your bone is enough.
If everything is in good condition, you will schedule an appointment on when the treatment should begin. The dentist raconteurs and shaves your teeth in preparation for the bridge. The shade of your teeth is also taken during this visit.
The impression taken is sent to the lab so that they can make a permanent bridge for you. In the meantime, the dentist fits a temporary bridge that you will use until the permanent one is ready. The dentist removes the temporary bridge during the third visit and fixes the permanent bridge.
How Much Does it Cost?
Few factors affect the cost of dental bridges. The type of bridge is one thing that affects the cost. Another thing that affects it is the location. A dentist in Spring Valley, NY, does not charge the same as another in Piqua. Talk to a dentist near you and determine the cost in your area.
Your insurance may or may not cover the treatment. Contact your provider and get a clear picture of what to expect.
For How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
How long your bridges will last will depend on how good you take care of them. If you take proper care of them, they can last for up to 15 years. Don’t panic, taking care of bridges is super easy
How to Take Care of Dental Bridges
You need to learn to brush them at least twice a day. Floss them daily as well.It is a bit difficult to floss bridges, but your dentist will teach you the right techniques for it.
You will still need to visit your dentist for regular appointments. The ones scheduled after every six months. This way, your dentist can diagnose and treat a problem as early as possible.
Final Words
Dental bridges are effective, are easy to take care of, and they can last up to 15 years if you take good care of them. You can get this treatment from Main Street Dental Care in Spring Valley, NY. You can also count in us for other dental services such as dental cleanings, exams, and whitening, among others.