At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we understand that missing teeth can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Our comprehensive restorative dentistry services are designed to help every patient rebuild a complete smile that looks great and functions at its best.
Missing teeth do more than create unsightly gaps in your smile; they can also lead to a range of issues affecting your oral health and overall well-being. For one thing, the surrounding teeth can drift into the spaces, altering the alignment of your bite and making it more challenging to clean your teeth and chew. This situation can put you at a greater risk of cavities and gum disease and other functional issues, including the ability to eat a nutritious diet. In some cases, missing teeth can also cause the opposing teeth to extrude, compromising your bite and chewing efficiency even more. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several effective solutions for replacing missing teeth and restoring both form and function to your smile.
One excellent solution for rebuilding a complete and beautiful smile is with a dental bridge. This restoration offers a highly effective and stable way to replace one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge consists of a single or multiple artificial teeth (called pontics) that derive their support from crowns attached to adjacent natural teeth or strategically placed dental implants.
Dental bridges offer numerous benefits for patients with missing teeth. They not only restore the function and aesthetics of your smile but also help prevent further oral health issues. By filling in the gaps left by missing teeth, dental bridges can prevent adjacent teeth from shifting out of place and promote better overall alignment.
Additionally, dental bridges can improve chewing efficiency, making it easier to enjoy a wider variety of foods and maintain proper nutrition. They also support the facial muscles, helping maintain normal facial contours and preventing premature aging. With proper care and maintenance, dental bridges can last many years, providing long-term benefits for oral health and overall well-being.
Dental bridges are far from a modern idea. They have a long history, dating back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used materials like animal and human teeth, bones, gold, and ivory to create tooth replacements. Fortunately, over time, dental materials and technology have evolved significantly, leading to modern teeth replacement methods that are more functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Today's dental bridges are fabricated from high-quality materials such as porcelain and porcelain fused to metal or engineered ceramic products like zirconia. These materials not only provide strength and durability but also offer a natural and beautiful appearance. Best of all, they can be customized to match the color, shape, and size of your existing teeth, ensuring a seamless and attractive result.
The design and placement of dental bridges have also advanced significantly over time. Traditionally, dental bridges were supported by crowns attached to adjacent natural teeth. However, with the advent of dental implants, it is now possible to create implant-supported bridges that provide even greater stability and support. With implant-supported dental bridges, there’s no need to prepare and crown any natural teeth.
Implant-supported dental bridges offer a versatile solution for replacing missing teeth. They can be used in many different situations, including cases where one or more teeth are missing due to extensive decay, periodontal disease, trauma, or other causes.
Several types of dental bridges are available today, each with unique advantages. The most common types include traditional fixed bridges, implant-supported bridges, cantilever bridges, and Maryland bridges. The best type of bridge for a patient depends on factors such as the number of missing teeth, the health of the surrounding teeth, and individual preferences.
Traditional Fixed Bridges: These are the most common type of dental bridge and are typically used when there is at least one natural tooth on either side of the gap. The supporting teeth (abutment teeth) are prepared for crowns, which then support the artificial teeth (pontics). Traditional fixed bridges provide excellent stability and durability.
Implant-Supported Bridges: For patients with multiple missing teeth or those who want a more permanent solution, implant-supported bridges offer several advantages. This type of bridge is supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth, which means there is no need to prepare or crown adjacent teeth. Dental implants provide strong and stable support for the bridge, making them an excellent choice for patients with extensive tooth loss.
Cantilever Bridges: Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional fixed bridges but differ in that they are supported by only one side of the gap. This makes them a good option when there is only one adjacent natural tooth available for support. However, cantilever bridges may not be as stable or durable as traditional fixed bridges and are typically used in cases where there is minimal biting force.
Maryland Bridges: Maryland bridges, also known as resin-bonded bridges, use metal or porcelain wings on either side of the artificial tooth to bond it to the adjacent natural teeth. This type of bridge is less invasive than traditional fixed bridges and may be a good option for patients who want to preserve as much of their natural tooth structure as possible.
The process of getting a dental bridge typically involves multiple steps, including preparation, impression-taking, fabrication, and placement. At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we take great care to ensure that each step is completed with precision and attention to detail.
For traditional fixed bridges, the first step involves preparing the abutment teeth by removing a small amount of enamel to accommodate the crowns. Impressions are then taken of the prepared teeth and surrounding tissue to create a model for the dental laboratory. A temporary bridge or temporary crowns may be placed to protect the prepared teeth while the permanent restoration is being fabricated.
During the fabrication process, our team works closely with the dental laboratory to ensure that the bridge is customized to meet your specific needs and preferences. Once the permanent bridge is complete, it will be tried in for fit and aesthetics before being permanently cemented into place. This ensures a comfortable and natural-looking result.
For implant-supported bridges, the process begins with the placement of dental implants, which typically involves a minor surgical procedure. Once the implants have fully integrated with the surrounding bone (a process known as osseointegration), the permanent bridge can be placed. In some cases, a temporary bridge may be used to provide an immediate and cosmetically pleasing result while the implants heal.
At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we’re committed to helping every patient achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. We provide personalized care tailored to one’s unique needs and goals. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we strive to create a comfortable and welcoming environment where you can feel confident in your dental treatment.
If you are missing teeth and would like to learn more about how dental bridges can benefit you, please reach out to us for more information. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process of restoring your smile with a custom-designed dental bridge.
Your new bridge is customized to the exact specifications of your smile. Before cementing to the underlying teeth or affixing it to the supporting implants, the shade, occlusion, and all aspects of its fit get carefully checked. In addition to being designed to blend seamlessly with your smile, it's also made to suit your bite and withstand all manner of oral function. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and that your bite feels comfortable.
Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge is a worthwhile investment in the look, health, and function of your smile. While many dental insurances offer coverage for a dental bridge, and some toward the cost of implants, the benefits and amounts can vary significantly from plan to plan. At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we understand the financial considerations involved in care and do all we can to help patients begin treatment without any additional stress or delay. In addition to doing our best to optimize your dental benefits, we also offer several payment and financing options. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions on the cost of care, dental insurances, financing plans, or acceptable forms of payment.
Now that your new permanent crown or bridge is in place, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene. With proper care, your new restorations will last for years to come. Make sure to brush and floss as instructed. We'll show you how to floss under your dental bridge to keep your new smile clean and bright. Remember to make appointments for your routine checkups and professional cleanings.
The standard answer is that with routine dental visits and good home care, a bridge can last ten to fifteen years, and in many cases, much longer.
At the office of Manisha Bhalla, DMD, we fabricate your bridge from the highest quality dental materials to achieve the most cosmetically pleasing and lifelike results of care. It's also customized to the exact specifications of your smile and designed for optimal aesthetics, strength, and stability. Once fabricated and cemented into place, you'll feel confident sharing your smile, speaking, and eating your favorite foods.
As your trusted partner in care, we analyze every aspect of your smile to develop a treatment plan that provides aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and long-lasting results of care.
For more information on dental bridges, or any services we provide, give us a call today.
