Dental Bridges – Alhambra, CA
Bridging Your Smile’s Unwanted Gaps
Losing one tooth is undoubtedly bad for your smile, but losing several adjacent ones is even worse. The latter problem causes large smile gaps that threaten your looks, oral health, and more. With all that said, there is some good news: Dental bridges in Alhambra can solve this dilemma! These prosthetics can replace several missing teeth at once, “bridging” your grin’s spaces to make it whole. Please keep reading to learn more about them, or book a consultation visit.
Why Choose Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra for Dental Bridges?
- Beautiful, Natural-Looking Results
- Advanced Dental Technology
- Friendly & Experienced Dental Team
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a device similar to a denture but with several key differences. In general, it consists of varied materials (dental crowns, etc.) fused to either side of a “pontic” (i.e., an artificial tooth). This design lets a bridge restore one to four missing teeth at once.
Given the points above, the best dental bridge candidates lack adjacent teeth. Such patients can often have their full smiles restored with just one treatment; they wouldn’t need follow-ups. It otherwise takes little to qualify for dental bridges, as an adult only needs decent oral health.
The Types of Dental Bridges
During your consultation, we’ll assess your smile and use our findings to recommend the dental bridge that suits you best. The possible types we may suggest include:
Traditional Dental Bridge
If you prefer a standard approach, our team will likely suggest a traditional dental bridge. This type comprises two (or more) dental crowns fused to either side of an artificial tooth. As a result, it uses your nearby natural teeth (i.e., “abutments”) to secure itself.
A traditional dental bridge is usually the less costly kind. This device uses simpler materials and methods, so it takes dentists less time and money to place. Just note that the traditional bridge would alter your existing teeth for placement.
Implant Bridge
Unlike a traditional one, an implant bridge doesn’t use dental crowns; it uses dental implants – metal posts set in your jaw. These posts keep the entire device secure once they fuse with your jawbone’s tissue.
Implant bridges don’t alter “abutments” or existing teeth for placement. Since they rely on dental implants, they can work without changing your dental structures. However, these effects mean implant bridges cost more than traditional ones.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
With dental bridges from Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra, you’ll enjoy:
- Lifelike Looks – Dental bridges blend seamlessly with your smile thanks to their high-quality materials. Friends and family won’t even notice these teeth aren’t natural.
- A Healthier Mouth – A dental bridge stops harmful bacteria from spreading once placed. As a result, it reduces your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, etc.
- Easier Eating – Because it uses strong and sturdy materials, a dental bridge helps you chew foods more easily.
- Long-Lasting Results – The average dental bridge lasts roughly 5-15 years, while a well-maintained one can work for 20 years or more!
Dental Bridges FAQs
Can You Take a Dental Bridge Out?
No, you can’t take a dental bridge out of your mouth. This device is meant to remain in your mouth for many years after it’s placed.
It comes down to how dental bridges work. Since each connects to your natural teeth (i.e., “abutments”) with dental crowns, a well-functioning bridge will remain securely fastened to your mouth. Only a dental professional can remove the device without harming your oral health.
Partial dentures aren’t exceptions to this rule, either. While similar to dental bridges, these devices are specially designed to be removable. An actual dental bridge should remain secure for many years.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
A dental bridge can technically replace anywhere from one to four teeth. However, it’s more often used to “restore” one or two teeth at most.
You see, a dental bridge becomes less stable as it extends further. That means using one to replace three or four teeth is a risky move, as it could easily come undone. The risk even grows stronger if the “abutments” (i.e., natural teeth) supporting the bridge aren’t strong or healthy.
The only exceptions to these rules are implant bridges. Since these kinds use dental implants, they often remain secure even when replacing three to four teeth.
Are Dental Bridges Safe?
As long as it’s placed by an experienced dentist, a dental bridge in Alhambra should be very safe. It won’t damage your teeth, gums, or any other part of your mouth.
Indeed, today’s dental bridges don’t contain any toxins. They simply use ceramic, zirconia, and porcelain – substances that don’t usually harm the human body. The most a bridge’s material could do is cause a minor allergic reaction, which would be highly treatable. That said, such a reaction is very unlikely and not a source of great harm.
With all that said, call us if you experience redness, swelling, or irritation in your gums. These could indicate an allergic reaction – something you should treat sooner instead of later.
Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?
As it happens, yes – modern dental bridges look very natural. Each one mimics a patient’s natural teeth and blends seamlessly with their smile.
These natural looks are partly due to the device materials. Since most bridges now use tooth-colored ceramic and zirconia, they don’t stand out from a patient’s surrounding teeth. The restorations instead “match” and have just the right size and color.
Note also that a dental bridge is permanent and secure. It won’t slip or fall out like a denture might, so it’ll look natural even when you eat and speak.