Fill Unsightly Gaps Caused by Missing Teeth
The absence of teeth doesn’t just impact your self-esteem and aesthetic appeal; it can also have adverse consequences for your overall oral well-being. Missing teeth can complicate speaking and chewing, and they create room for adjacent teeth to move, potentially leading to additional health concerns. Fortunately, there’s a remedy! If you’re grappling with missing teeth, you could be a suitable candidate for a dental bridge.
Dental bridges work by replacing missing teeth with false teeth that are supported by either dental implants, natural teeth, or a combination of both. Sometimes referred to as a ‘fixed partial denture’, bridges are bonded or cemented to your teeth. Unlike dentures, bridges don’t need to be removed for cleanings or during sleep.
The Long-Lasting Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a great way to make your smile look and feel normal, healthy, and vibrant again. But improved appearance isn’t the only benefit that bridges have to offer. The following are only a few of the important advantages dental bridges provide for your overall oral health:
Comfort
While unsightly, missing teeth also impact the mouth’s functionality. Those suffering from missing teeth often find that chewing certain foods can be uncomfortable or even painful. And speech can be affected as well, making communication difficult and frustrating. Dental bridges restore functionality to the mouth, so you enjoy the foods you love and speak unencumbered.
Tooth Health
Preserving the entirety of your teeth plays a pivotal role in upholding your facial integrity and averting undesirable teeth displacement. This displacement, if left unchecked, could elevate the likelihood of encountering issues such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, jaw discomfort, and TMJ disorder. Dental bridges come to the rescue by closing the gaps left by missing teeth, not only halting tooth migration but also reinstating your facial structure
Bone Health
Maintaining strong and sound teeth promotes the well-being of your jawbones. As our dental health declines, so does the health of the bones and tissues that provide support to our teeth. Utilizing a dental bridge to stabilize your dental health will decelerate the rate of bone loss attributed to your missing teeth.
Are You a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
Although dental bridges can serve as an excellent option for replacing lost teeth, Guelph Family Dentistry doesn’t advocate their use indiscriminately. We recognize that every individual’s oral condition is unique, and what may be suitable for one person may not be the best choice for another. Below, we outline several factors that guide our assessment of whether dental bridges align with our patients’ specific needs:
How many teeth need to be replaced?
We recommend dental bridges for those missing between one and three teeth. Any more than that and your bridge may become unstable and begin to lose its structural integrity. For this situation, your doctor may recommend dental implants, or a combination of implants and a dental bridge to restore your missing teeth.
Tooth health
Typically, a dental bridge relies on the presence of healthy teeth to provide the necessary support and stability. If your teeth are in poor health, this could potentially lead to the bridge failing or requiring premature replacement.
Other factors
There are all sorts of factors that your doctor will take into account during your consultation that will influence their decision about whether or not to prescribe dental bridge treatment. The only way to know for sure if a dental bridge is the best solution for you is to schedule a call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation with our Guelph Family Dentistry staff.
The Cost of a Dental Bridge in Guelph
The cost of a dental bridge can vary widely from patient to patient. With a typical insurance plan, expect to pay somewhere between $800 to $1200+. Without insurance, a reasonable figure for a dental bridge could be between $2000 to $3000 and up.
What goes into determining the cost of a dental bridge?
- The type of bridge and the material used to make it.
- The number of teeth that are missing.
- The location and complexity of the procedure.
- The condition of the teeth adjacent to the gap.
- Supplies and equipment that are required for your specific treatment.
Remember, no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Ultimately, your needs are as unique as your smile. It’s important to speak with a dentist and undergo an oral exam to find out all your treatment options and to receive an accurate quote. If you have dental insurance, we would be happy to supply you with a quote to submit to them so you can find out your out-of-pocket costs before you make a decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.