Do you have one or more missing teeth? Do you want to maintain your brightest smile? If you’re thinking about getting a dental bridge in Sacramento, contact the professionals at Natomas Crossing Dental Care. After a comprehensive examination, we may recommend a tooth bridge to replace your missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress in your bite.
Dental Bridges in Sacramento for a Complete Smile
What Is a Dental Bridge?
This procedure replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth. It is made up of two crowns, one on each tooth on either side of the missing teeth, with a false tooth or teeth in between. It is bonded onto the surrounding teeth for support, literally bridging the gap where one or more teeth have been. Your dental bridge is made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. The artificial teeth are made to look and function like natural teeth.
What Are the Benefits of a Tooth Bridge?
A fixed dental bridge:
- Restores your smile – and your confidence
- Restores your ability to speak and chew properly
- Maintains the shape of your face
- Preserves your proper bite
- Prevents your remaining teeth from shifting
With dental bridges, Sacramento patients can enjoy these benefits and restore their smiles for long-lasting comfort and increased confidence.
Are There Different Types of Bridges?
Traditional bridges:
This popular type of bridge is used when a natural tooth exists on both sides of the gap created by a missing tooth. Traditional bridges consist of one or more false teeth and are bonded in place by dental crowns.
Cantilever bridges:
This type of bridge is similar to a traditional tooth bridge, but the false tooth is supported by a natural tooth on only one side. For this reason, cantilever bridges aren’t as strong as traditional bridges because the bridge is placing force on only one tooth.
Maryland bridges:
A Maryland bridge is a conservative alternative to traditional bridges as it requires little modification to adjacent healthy teeth. This type of bridge uses one or more artificial teeth and two small wings made of tooth-colored resin material to adjoin neighboring natural teeth. This can be a good option for replacing a front tooth, but Maryland bridges may not be suitable for back teeth because of the stronger biting forces in that area.
Implant-supported bridges:
A dental implant bridge consists of a false tooth suspended between two durable implants rather than natural teeth. This type of bridge procedure is typically more invasive than other types of bridges, but it can help retain your natural appearance while also maintaining the stability of your jawbone.
Dental Bridge vs. Dental Implant: What’s the Difference?
Dental bridges and dental implants can both replace missing teeth, but they work differently.
A traditional dental bridge relies on the natural teeth next to the empty space for support. Those teeth are prepared for crowns, which hold the replacement tooth between them. A dental implant, on the other hand, is placed in the jaw and supports a replacement tooth without relying on adjacent teeth.
The treatment timelines are also different. A traditional bridge can generally be completed without implant surgery or the healing period that follows it. Dental implant treatment takes longer because the implant needs time to heal and become stable in the jaw before the final restoration is placed.
Your oral health, available jawbone, treatment goals, and budget can all influence which option makes sense for you. Your dentist can explain the differences and help you compare your options.
Dental Bridges at Natomas Crossing Dental Care
When it comes to dental bridges, Sacramento residents can count on our team to restore missing teeth with durable, natural-looking results.
The procedure starts with your dentist preparing the surrounding teeth to accept the bridge by removing a portion of the enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them.
Impressions of your teeth are taken and used as a model to create the bridge, crowns, and false teeth in a dental laboratory. Your dentist will provide a temporary bridge for you to wear until your permanent dental bridge is ready. During your next visit, we place and adjust your final bridge. You may need to schedule an additional appointment so we can check that your bridge is fitting properly.
After you meet our team and see your results, you’ll understand why patients trust us for exceptional dental bridge services. Our experienced dentists take everything into account and decide on the best bridge treatment for your teeth. We’ll ensure the bridge is durable, functional, and fits well. We can even provide you with a bridge for a missing tooth, so you feel confident in your smile. Rest assured, we’ll provide you with the most trustworthy advice and the best options for your budget. View our special offers to learn more.
Hear From Our Happy Patients
You don’t have to take our word for it; read reviews from Sacramento residents who couldn’t be happier with their results!
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge may be an option if you’re missing one or more teeth and want a fixed replacement that stays in your mouth. However, the health of your remaining teeth and gums matters.
For a traditional bridge, the teeth next to the gap need to be healthy enough to support the restoration. Your dentist will check these teeth, along with your gums and bite, before recommending treatment.
If you’re considering an implant-supported bridge, your dentist will also need to evaluate the amount and condition of the bone in your jaw. Your overall health and ability to heal after implant placement may also affect your treatment options.
The best way to know if you’re a candidate is to have your mouth examined. Your dentist can then recommend a solution based on your oral health and the number and location of your missing teeth.
How Do You Care for a Dental Bridge?
Taking care of a dental bridge is similar to caring for your natural teeth, with one important difference: you need to clean underneath it.
Brush twice a day to remove plaque from the bridge, supporting teeth, and surrounding gumline. Because the artificial tooth sits above the gums, regular floss can’t simply pass between the teeth as usual. A floss threader or interdental brush can help you clean underneath the bridge and remove food that gets trapped there.
Keeping the supporting teeth healthy is especially important. Tooth decay or gum problems around these teeth can affect the stability of the entire bridge.
Regular dental cleanings and exams are important, too. Your dentist can check the condition of your bridge and the teeth supporting it. If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist may also recommend a night guard to protect your restoration.
How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?
A dental bridge can last for many years, but its lifespan varies from patient to patient. How well you care for your teeth and gums is one of the biggest factors.
The health of the teeth supporting the bridge also matters. Tooth decay, gum disease, or damage to a supporting tooth can weaken the restoration. Your bite and habits such as grinding or clenching your teeth can affect its lifespan as well.
Daily brushing, cleaning underneath the bridge, and regular dental visits can help keep both the restoration and supporting teeth in good condition.
If your bridge becomes loose, damaged, uncomfortable, or feels different when you bite, schedule an appointment. Your dentist can examine it and determine whether it needs an adjustment, repair, or replacement.
