Fixed Dental Bridges

If you need missing teeth replaced, fixed dental bridges are a great option.  There are three most common solutions when you have lost a tooth, including dental implants, removable appliances and dental bridges.  In some cases, removable appliances are beneficial, but this is usually preferable when you need to have quite a few teeth replaced.  Fixed dental bridges only replace the teeth you are already missing, so you can keep the rest of your natural teeth.  Another option is a dental implant, which is essentially a false tooth attached to an artificial root implanted in your jaw where the missing teeth used to be.  This type of implant will allow your adjacent teeth to be unaffected, but they are often expensive and the costs may not be covered by your dental insurance plan.

Dental bridges offer a permanent solution for your missing teeth by holding the false tooth in place with a pair of crowns set in each of the adjacent teeth.  Even if there is only one tooth adjacent to the missing teeth, you can still get the benefits that dental bridges offer.  A special dental bridge, known as a cantilever bridge, is designed to stay in place when only anchored to one tooth.  Fixed dental bridge costs are typically less than that of a permanent dental implant.  And most dental plans will cover dental bridges costs.

There are many advantages to getting dental bridges when you have missing teeth.  Most of them are connected to restoring the original shape of your mouth.  You may not realize how much teeth affect your life, but how you chew and missing teeth can dramatically affect how you speak.  A dental bridge or implant will reduce these effects by getting your mouth back in shape.  Fixed bridges are created from a mold taken of your own mouth, so they are designed to recreate your missing tooth the way it was, so your eating and speaking habits shouldn’t have to change much.  Of course, much like any other dental implant, fixed bridges may take some getting used to, and you will need to where a temporary bridge to hold your adjacent teeth in place while your permanent bridge is made, but before long you should hardly notice your dental bridges.  And you will be able to chew and speak just like you used to.  One advantage to having dental bridges is that they are not removable like some dental appliances.  With a removable dental appliance your mouth takes longer to adjust to the shape that it should be, but with fixed bridges, the shape of your mouth remains consistent so it should take less time to get used to them.  And another advantage is that most dental plans will cover dental bridges costs, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of tooth replacement.

While all dental bridges serve the same purpose—replacing your missing tooth—there are a few different types of fixed bridges designed for different circumstance.

Most dental bridges are very similar, but there are a few variations.  Conventional dental bridges, including the crowns connecting to the adjacent teeth, are made of ceramics or porcelain fused with metal, as is typical of many dental implants.  The false tooth itself may be made of ceramic, or it may be made of gold or other alloys.

Another type of dental bridge is the cantilever bridge mentioned earlier.  In many ways cantilever bridges are very similar to conventional fixed dental bridges, except that they are designed for when there is only one adjacent tooth to utilize.  So while cantilever bridges will be made of very similar materials, there will only be one connected crown holding the false tooth in place.

These bridges are often called resin-bonded bridges, Maryland bridges, or Maryland bonded bridges.  These dental bridges are comprised of teeth and gum supports made out of plastic.  They are held in place with a framework made of metal.

Fixed dental bridges and dental implants are both viable options when you need to replace a missing tooth.  Each has its own advantages and its own disadvantages.  In either case you will get the benefit of having a permanent fixture in your mouth restoring it back to its natural shape.  But with each of these options this is accomplished in different ways.  Dental implants may be preferable in that they don’t affect any of the surrounding teeth.  A dental implant is simply a false tooth.  To keep the new tooth in your mouth, an artificial root or anchor is attached to the jawbone, and the new tooth is secured to it.  Some people prefer this option because it means your natural teeth are unaffected, which can be desirable for cosmetic reasons, and just to know your mouth is as close to its original shape as possible.

With dental bridges, the bridge is anchored to the adjacent teeth, known as abutment teeth by apply a crown attached to the false tooth on to each of the adjacent teeth.  This means two of your natural teeth will also be affected by your bridge—effectively giving you three crowns.  However, it also means that there is no need for implants in your jawbone.  Fixed dental bridges also have the advantage of generally costing less than dental implants do.  And while all dental plans vary, the cost of dental bridges is more often covered by dental insurance than the cost of receiving dental implants.

Having a fixed bridge installed to replace a missing tooth usually requires at least two visits to your dentist.  During in the first appointment your teeth next to the missing tooth are shaved down to receive the crowns that will hold your dental bridge in place.  Then a mold will be taken of your teeth.  This mold will be used to create both a temporary bridge and your permanent bridge.  You will be fitted with the temporary bridge first.  This will hold your remaining teeth in place and keep them from trying to move into the empty gap on their own.  Once your permanent bridge is completed, you will need to return for a second visit to your dentist to have it installed.  In some cases additional visits may be required, as your dentist may only use temporary cement to hold the bridge in place while he monitors how it fits and makes any necessary adjustments.  Once the bridge has been permanently cemented in place, the process will be complete.  It will probably still take some time for you to get used to your new dental bridge, so be cautious when eating for a while.  You will also want to make sure that you continue to practice good dental hygiene.  With fixed bridges it is imperative that the abutment teeth that the bridge is secured to stay strong and healthy.  This shouldn’t require very much in the way of special treatment, just be sure to maintain good oral health practices.

 

 

As with any dental procedure, when you are looking at getting fixed bridges, the expense can be intimidating.  And you probably have enough to worry about figuring out what to do about your dental needs without worrying about the price.  So it would definitely be nice to be able to go to your dentist already knowing how much dental bridges are going to cost you.  Unfortunately the price can change significantly depending on a number of factors.  The particular dentist you are seeing and the area where you receive the procedure can have a significant affect on the price of the procedure.  Another factor is they type of bridge you will be getting and the materials it will be made of.  The condition of the teeth surrounding the tooth to be replaced by the dental bridge will also affect the price, as any additional work these teeth needed to prepare them to hold the bridge will increase the expense of the procedure.  So the price for a typical fixed dental bridge can vary greatly, ranging anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on your individual circumstances.  The good news is that many dental plans will cover at least some of the cost of getting your dental bridges installed.  The best advice is to find out as much as you can about your dental plan, and then ask as many questions of your dentist as possible.  A more expensive option may save you money if your insurance covers it.