Dental bridges are often beneficial for individuals missing one or multiple teeth in a row. This treatment involves the placement of a prosthesis that is anchored to your natural teeth with dental crowns. This can be a good option for patients who are not candidates for dental implants but who would like to improve their bite and enhance their smile. Our Elgin cosmetic dentist, Dean Lodding, DDS, has extensive experience helping patients restore their smiles with beautiful, long-lasting results.
Dental bridges offer many benefits for individuals who need to replace multiple missing or severely damaged teeth. This restorative treatment provides a range of potential benefits, including:
During your initial consultation with Dr. Lodding, a full assessment of your dental needs and aesthetic goals will be evaluated to determine whether dental bridges or a different restorative dentistry option—such as an implant denture or bridge—is best-suited to delivering your desired outcome.
If Dr. Lodding believes you may be a good candidate for a dental bridge, he can create a custom treatment plan. At your first appointment, Dr. Lodding will administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and help make the procedure more comfortable for you. Each tooth near the gap will be cleaned and prepped to receive crowns for either side of the bridge. Our master ceramist will then work with Dr. Lodding to examine the area and take any molds necessary to create your crowns and bridge. These are completely customized to your needs and are designed to blend seamlessly amongst your other teeth. Once your crowns and bridge are placed, Dr. Lodding will ensure they fit comfortably in your mouth and that your bite is balanced.
Dental bridges are made with high-quality materials, enabling them to last many years—or even decades—with proper care and maintenance. It is important to closely follow the post-treatment instructions provided by your dentist to ensure a healthy, long-lasting result. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also help prolong the life of your dental appliance. Daily brushing and flossing combined with routine professional cleanings create a healthy foundation for your restoration while enabling your dentist to monitor its condition over time.
The cost of a dental bridge is determined from patient to patient, depending on your dental needs. Dr. Lodding will examine your teeth in a consultation and create a custom treatment plan to address your oral concerns. He will also detail an estimate for the cost of the procedure. After contacting your insurance company, we can help determine what may be covered before your appointment. Our practice offers a variety of different dental financing and payment options that can help make the cost of treatment as budget-friendly as possible.
Here are some of the questions we most commonly receive about dental bridges. If you do not see your questions below, our staff will be happy to talk with you about any concerns you may have.
Yes, there are two different types of bridges. A fixed bridge can only be taken out by a dentist, while a removable bridge is one you can take out and clean as needed. Dr. Lodding can review both with you during your appointment.
A regular at-home dental hygiene routine should be enough to maintain a fixed dental bridge. We recommend that this include brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing, and visiting the dentist at least two times per year.
For more information about dental bridges, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lodding, please contact us today.