What are dental bridges?
When one or several of your teeth have fallen out, it can cause your remaining teeth to shift out of place. This can lead to extra tension when you bite, pain during chewing, or even the impairment of speech. A bridge improves the appearance and health of your smile by filling in gaps with a false tooth supported by either crowns, dental implants, or both. At Michaela Tozzi, DMD in Henderson, NV, cosmetic dentist Dr. Michaela Tozzi offers custom-made bridges with top-quality materials that will help to restore your beautiful smile. If you live in the Greater Las Vegas area, schedule a consultation with Dr. Tozzi to learn more about your treatment options with dental bridges.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Bridges?
A custom dental bridge created for you by Dr. Tozzi has a number of great benefits to improve your look and overall oral health, including:
- Restoring your smile
- Improving eating and chewing
- Preserving the health of adjacent teeth and gums
- Allowing you to speak normally
- Preventing bone loss
- Maintaining the shape and profile of your face
- Whole or part of the cost is typically covered by insurance
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Who is a Candidate for dental bridges?
People with missing teeth don't merely have an appearance problem — spaces in your smile can have a powerful impact on your overall oral health. The fact is, your mouth is balanced carefully and a gap can affect its function. With time, gaps may lead to the shifting of teeth, causing problems with your bite, gums, or jawbone. A dental bridge requires the surrounding teeth to be healthy enough to support the restoration, including good density in the jawbone and gums. Dr. Tozzi will examine your teeth, gums, and jaw at your consultation to help you choose the best type of bridge and material.
What to Expect During dental bridge treatment
Dental bridges at Michaela Tozzi, DMD are made out of high-quality materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal. These restorations can also be colored to match the exact shade of your existing teeth to create a natural-looking appearance. When you first visit our office, Dr. Tozzi will numb the treatment area and can also incorporate a sedative to help keep you calm and comfortable. Then, a small portion of enamel will be removed from the surrounding teeth to create optimal support for the dental bridge. In some cases, a set of dental implants are surgically placed to support an implant-retained bridge. A digital impression will be taken of the area and sent over to our dental lab where your custom bridge will be made. At this time, we will also place a temporary bridge until your fixed restoration is complete. This process usually takes about 1 – 2 weeks, at which point, we will have you return to our office for the final placement of your bridge. Dr. Tozzi will secure the restoration and make minor adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit.
How Long is Recovery After dental bridge treatment?
Dr. Tozzi or a member of our team will show you how to properly care for your dental bridge, including the ways to keep it clean and any foods that should be avoided to prevent it from coming loose. It is important to regularly clean your bridge and mouth because cavities can develop underneath the restoration. With proper care, your custom bridge may last up to ten years. You should also schedule annual dental appointments and cleanings at Michaela Tozzi, DMD so we can monitor your oral health and the condition of your restoration. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call our office. We are here to help.
will Insurance Cover bridges?
Bridges and other dental restorations are generally covered, in part, by most dental insurance companies. One of our team members will work with your insurance company to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses. Michaela Tozzi, DMD accepts many methods of payment, including medical financing. Payment options are typically discussed in detail at the time of your initial consultation with Dr. Tozzi. During this time, she will also help you select the best type and material for your bridge to fit your budget and needs.
Dental Bridges FAQ
How many teeth can be replaced with a dental bridge?
A typical dental bridge is used to replace between 1 – 4 teeth. Creating a dental bridge for more than four teeth can make the bridge less stable. During your consultation with Dr. Tozzi, she can determine if a dental bridge is right for you.
How long does a dental bridge typically last?
Typically, dental bridges can last up to 10 years and even as long as 15 years with proper care and cleaning. However, as we age, our teeth may shift and change, and these changes can affect the way a dental bridge fits. That's why regular dental checkups are such an important part of maintaining good oral health, especially for people with dental bridges.
How long is the process to have a dental bridge made?
The process to have a dental bridge made begins with having an impression made of your teeth. This impression is sent to a dental lab, where a custom bridge is created. During this time, you'll be fitted with a temporary bridge. In total, it will take about 1 – 2 weeks until your permanent bridge will be installed.
Do dental bridges look natural?
Yes, they do. Dental bridges are made from materials that match the color and shape of your natural teeth. Dr. Tozzi will color match the material with your surrounding natural teeth so that most people will not even notice the dental bridge.
Is getting a dental bridge painful?
No, most patients don't find the process of placing a dental bridge painful. During the initial procedure when the teeth the bridge will be anchored to are prepared, Dr. Tozzi will completely numb the treatment area to keep you comfortable. She also offers advanced sedation options to reduce anxiety and discomfort while enhancing your comfort during the procedure.
Dental Bridge Restorations
Even if you don't mind the way your smile looks with a gap from a missing tooth, it can turn into a bigger problem if you don't seek treatment. Make a consultation with Dr. Tozzi to learn more about dental bridges and what options will fit your specific needs. Michaela Tozzi, DMD is proud to offer high-quality dental bridges that can improve the health and appearance of your mouth. Contact our office if you live in Henderson or near Las Vegas, NV to schedule your private consultation.
