MORE INFO ON DENTAL BRIDGES

Whether you are missing one tooth or a few teeth, you’ll need to consider different replacement options to fill the gap where your tooth or teeth used to be. While missing a tooth or teeth is aesthetically unappealing, the trouble with missing a tooth or teeth actually goes well beyond the way your smile looks. A gap between teeth can lead to a series of oral health issues, which can be very annoying, painful and costly to fix. This is why you’ll want to consider a dental bridge.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a dental appliance that is used to fill the gap where one or more teeth are missing. This is generally done by fitting a pontic (false tooth or set of teeth) between the gap where a tooth or teeth are missing. The pontic is generally held in place by abutments that are placed over reshaped teeth on each side of the gap. Some dental bridges may only require one abutment, while other bridges (Maryland bridges) involve the use of attachments (wings) to hold the pontic in place.

Why Would I Need a Dental Bridge?

For patients that are self-conscious about the way their smile looks due to a gap where a tooth or teeth are missing, a dental bridge may be an excellent cosmetic solution. Dental bridges can be made to look much like the teeth they are replacing, and often go unnoticed. Beyond aesthetic appearance, though, dental bridges are also extremely helpful for restoring a patient’s bite, and ensuring the ongoing oral health of a patient. While dental bridges don’t allow for the same level of support as other replacement options like implants, they still provide a decent amount of bite support that allows patients to bite and chew much like they did before the tooth or teeth were missing. A dental bridge will also help to prevent a patient’s teeth from migrating, which can cause crowding, tooth decay, gum disease, infection and other oral health issues.

A dental bridge is both an excellent cosmetic and functional tooth or teeth replacement option.

How Much Do Bridges Cost?

The cost of a dental bridge varies due to a few different factors. The materials that are used, the amount of damage that needs to be repaired, the specific rates of the dentist, insurance and other factors can all affect the cost of a dental bridge. Generally, though, a dental bridge is around $700 to $1,500 per tooth.

What Other Options May Be Available?

For some patients, dental implants may be a preferable tooth replacement option. Implants aren’t always an option, though, due to factors such as cost and the durability of the patient’s jawbone. Another option may be partial dentures, depending on the amount of damage to the teeth and jaw.

Speak with your dentist about what the best replacement option is for your tooth or teeth, and see if a dental bridge is a good choice for you.

Interested in starting your dental bridge process? Learn more about West Mobile Dental Care, located in Mobile, today.

Curious about dental bridges in general? Here's details on the dental bridge process.