Close the gap left by 1 to 3 missing teeth
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that fills the space left by one or more missing teeth. It uses a custom-made false tooth, anchored in place by your surrounding natural teeth, dental implants, or a combination of both. At Trinity Family Dental, our team, including Dr. Srikanth Lingamaneni, Dr. Hardik Patel and Dr. Kaustubh Gandhalikar, is proud to help patients throughout Trenton restore their smiles with natural-looking, reliable dental bridges.
The Lasting Benefits of a Dental Bridge
Missing teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable in everyday moments. A dental bridge helps your smile look and feel like your own again, while also protecting the health of your remaining teeth and jawbone over the long term. Here’s a closer look at the benefits:
Everyday Comfort
This is the benefit you’ll notice right away. A bridge helps your smile look and feel natural again, so you can eat, speak and smile without second-guessing yourself. Gaps from missing teeth can make everyday tasks like chewing or talking uncomfortable, and a dental bridge offers a durable fix that can last more than a decade with proper care.
Protecting Your Remaining Teeth
Your teeth rely on each other for support and help shape your facial structure. When a tooth goes missing, your bite can shift and nearby teeth may drift out of place. A dental bridge holds everything in position, lowering your risk of decay, gum disease, jaw discomfort and TMJ disorder caused by shifting teeth.
Supporting Your Jawbone
Strong, stable teeth help keep your jawbone healthy. As oral health declines, so does the bone and tissue supporting your teeth. A dental bridge helps stabilize your bite, which can slow the rate of bone loss that often follows tooth loss.
Getting dental bridges is a simple and straightforward process
It typically takes place over a couple of appointments, giving your dentist time to prepare your teeth and have your custom bridge crafted for a precise fit. Here’s what you can expect throughout the process:
Preparing your teeth
First, the teeth on either side of the gap, known as abutment teeth, are gently reshaped to make room for the crowns that will anchor your bridge. Your dentist will then take an impression or digital scan of your teeth, which is sent to a dental lab to craft your custom bridge. In the meantime, a temporary bridge is placed to protect your prepared teeth and keep you comfortable while your permanent restoration is made.
Fitting the permanent bridge
Once your custom bridge is ready, your temporary bridge is removed and the new one is carefully checked for fit, comfort, and appearance. Your dentist will make sure it matches the colour of your surrounding teeth and sits comfortably against your gums before bonding or cementing it securely in place.
Final adjustments
After your bridge is secured, your dentist will check your bite to make sure everything feels natural when you chew and speak. Any small adjustments are made at this time so the bridge feels comfortable right away. We’ll make a note in your chart, and at future exams, we’ll check the bridge and surrounding teeth to make sure everything continues to fit and function well.
The cost of getting dental bridges in Trenton
Dental bridges are used for such a wide range of reasons that it’s hard to give a ballpark estimate without learning more about your needs and examining your teeth. That said, a standard three-unit dental bridge typically costs approximately $2,000 to $5,000 or more without insurance. Many insurance plans help cover dental bridges, especially when they’re needed to restore chewing function and oral health, which can help bring down your out of pocket cost.
Costs typically vary based on:
- How many teeth need to be replaced.
- Whether new x-rays are required.
- The type of bridge and materials used.
- Whether any preparatory work is needed on the supporting teeth.
- Your current overall oral health.
We’re happy to give you a clear, personalized quote once we’ve had a chance to examine your teeth in person, so you’ll have all the information you need to make the best decision for your smile.
Contact us today
To schedule an initial consultation and exam.
Your dental bridge consultation will include an examination of the gap you’d like to fill, the surrounding teeth that may support your bridge, and the overall health of your gums and bite. We want to see how the missing tooth or teeth affect the function and appearance of your whole smile. Before we plan your treatment, we want to understand the health of your mouth and, most importantly, what you’d like to achieve, so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper care, dental bridges typically last 10 to 15 years or longer. Good oral hygiene, regular checkups, and avoiding excessive pressure on the bridge can help extend its lifespan.
The procedure itself is not painful, as a local anesthetic is used while your teeth are prepared. You may experience some mild sensitivity for a few days afterward, which is normal and manageable.
Most dental bridges are completed over two appointments, spaced a few weeks apart. The first visit involves preparing your teeth and fitting a temporary bridge, while the second is for placing and adjusting your permanent bridge.
Yes. Once your bridge is in place, you’ll be able to chew and eat most foods comfortably. We recommend easing back into harder or chewier foods over the first few days while you get used to it.
Dental bridges require the same care as your natural teeth, including regular brushing and flossing. Your dentist may also recommend a special flosser or brush to help you clean underneath the bridge.
=A dental bridge relies on your neighbouring teeth (or dental implants) for support, while a single dental implant replaces a missing tooth on its own without altering the teeth beside it. Your dentist can help you decide which option best suits your needs.
Many insurance plans provide at least partial coverage for dental bridges, especially when they’re needed to restore chewing function and oral health. Coverage varies by provider, so it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company directly.
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