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Spanish Dental Bridges in North Carolina
Providing quality tooth replacement solutions in Durham, Raleigh, and Goldsboro.
At Carolina Dental Arts, our goal is to give you a healthy, beautiful smile you can be proud of. However, losing permanent teeth can impact your oral health and diminish your confidence in your smile. Dental bridges are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth, and we offer them at all our locations throughout North Carolina as part of our restorative dentistry services.
Understanding Dental Bridges
A dental bridge replaces one or more teeth. The row of artificial teeth is anchored to two support points, which can either be healthy natural teeth or dental implants. In addition to restoring your ability to chew, speak, and smile, bridges maintain your alignment by preventing your remaining teeth from shifting toward the gap.
If you have lost teeth due to decay, injury, gum disease, or another cause, we may recommend a dental bridge.
The Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer a variety of advantages for those with missing teeth:
- Prevent teeth from shifting: Missing teeth can cause adjacent teeth to shift into the empty space, leading to misalignment. When teeth become misaligned, you may experience difficulties chewing and speaking, as well as increased wear and tear on your teeth. Misaligned teeth can be more difficult to clean, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease. A dental bridge fills this gap and prevents unwanted movement.
- Distribute bite forces evenly: Bridges help distribute the force of your bite evenly across your teeth, reducing the risk of damage to individual teeth.
- Enhance smile appearance: By filling the gaps left by missing teeth, bridges restore your smile, giving you more confidence. In this way, dental bridges offer both restorative and cosmetic benefits.
- Maintain facial structure: Missing teeth can cause the face to sag, making you look older. Bridges help maintain your natural facial shape.
- Improve oral function: Bridges make it easier to chew and speak properly, enhancing your overall oral function.
Types of Dental Bridges
To meet the diverse needs of our patients, we offer several types of dental bridges:
Traditional Bridge
- Structure: A traditional bridge is a row of one or more false teeth. It connects to the natural teeth neighboring the gap using dental crowns.
- Benefits: Traditional bridges are strong and durable, making them suitable for replacing molars.
- Ideal for: Patients with healthy teeth on both sides of the gap.
Cantilever Bridge
- Structure: Similar to a traditional bridge, but the false tooth is anchored by a crown on only one side.
- Benefits: A cantilever bridge is useful when there are teeth on only one side of the gap.
- Ideal for: Areas of the mouth that do not endure heavy chewing pressure.
Maryland Bridge
- Structure: Also called a resin-bonded bridge, it consists of a false tooth that connects to the back of adjacent teeth using porcelain or metal wings.
- Benefits: This bridge is less invasive as it does not require crowns on the adjacent teeth.
- Ideal for: Replacing front teeth where the forces on the bridge are less intense.
Implant-Supported Bridge
Structure: An implant-supported bridge uses dental implants instead of crowns or frameworks. We first place the implants in the jawbone and then attach the bridge to them.- Benefits: These bridges are highly stable and durable, as they do not rely on natural teeth for support. When you choose an implant-supported bridge, we do not have to alter your remaining teeth, helping preserve your long-term oral health. Also, unlike natural teeth that can degrade over time, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Ideal for: Patients with several missing teeth in a row, those without healthy adjacent teeth, or individuals seeking the most long-lasting restoration.
Our Process
The procedure for dental bridges varies depending on the type of bridge you receive. When you visit Carolina Dental Arts for a traditional or cantilever dental bridge, the process involves a few key steps:
- Preparation: We first prepare the abutment teeth by contouring them and removing a small portion of the enamel. This step is crucial as it allows the crowns to fit snugly.
- Impressions: We will take impressions of your mouth to create a model for the bridge.
- Temporary bridge placement: While your custom bridge is being made at the dental lab, we will provide a temporary bridge to protect the area.
- Final bridge placement: At your next visit, we will replace the temporary bridge with your custom one and cement it into place. We can also make adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.
The Implant-Supported Bridge Procedure
The process for implant-supported bridges differs from that of traditional and cantilever bridges. The specific procedure varies depending on whether you receive traditional or mini dental implants.
- Consultation and planning: First, we will evaluate your oral health and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. This includes taking X-rays and scans to assess the condition of your jawbone and decide whether traditional or mini dental implants are best for you. These detailed images help us plan the precise placement of your implants.
- Implant placement: At the start of your procedure, we will administer local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable. For traditional implants, we will make an incision into the gums to place the implant screw. For mini dental implants, we will simply make a pilot hole through the gums and screw in the implant.
- Healing period and temporary bridge: Traditional implants require a healing period of several months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone and become stable. Mini implants require a much shorter healing period due to their smaller size and less invasive placement. During this time, we can place a temporary bridge to use while your implants settle.
- Impressions and bridge creation: We will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom bridge that fits perfectly with your bite and natural teeth.
- Final bridge attachment: The final step is attaching your custom restoration to the implants. When you opt for mini implants, we can complete this step as soon as the bridge has been fabricated. For traditional implants, we will wait until the jawbone has fully healed around the implants before attaching the bridge.
Smile Confidently With Dental Bridges
At Carolina Dental Arts, we are committed to providing exceptional dental care. Whether you need a traditional, cantilever, Maryland, or implant-supported bridge, we will help you find the best option to restore your smile and improve your oral health. If you have any questions about the cost or suitability of dental bridges, we are happy to discuss your options and help you make an informed decision. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of dental bridges depends on several factors, including the type of bridge, the number of missing teeth, the materials used, and the complexity of your case. Implant-supported bridges, which offer superior stability and durability, tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum due to the additional cost of dental implants and their placement.
Most dental insurance plans cover dental bridges, though the extent of coverage can vary. Typically, insurance covers a percentage of the procedure, often ranging from 50% to 80%, depending on the plan’s specifics. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage details, including any deductibles, copayments, and annual maximums. For out-of-pocket expenses, we offer flexible financing options to help you manage the costs of your needed dental work.
Dental bridges are not removable. They are a permanent solution to replace missing teeth, providing stability and functionality similar to natural teeth. A dental bridge is fixed to adjacent teeth or implants.
In contrast, partial dentures are a removable option for replacing missing teeth. They can be removed for cleaning and maintenance but do not offer the same stability and comfort as a dental bridge. For those seeking a long-lasting and permanent solution, a dental bridge is a preferred choice.
The lifespan of a dental bridge can vary depending on the type of bridge, the materials used, and how well it is maintained. A traditional dental bridge can last between 5 to 15 years with proper care. Attending regular dental checkups, practicing good oral hygiene, and avoiding habits that put excessive stress on the bridge, such as chewing on hard objects, can help it last longer.
Implant-supported bridges last the longest, often providing a durable solution for 15 years or more. The longevity of an implant-supported bridge is due to the stability provided by the dental implants, which integrate with the jawbone and offer a strong foundation for the bridge. Additionally, because implants help maintain bone density and prevent bone resorption, they contribute to the overall health and longevity of the surrounding oral structures. With proper care and maintenance, implant-supported bridges are a reliable, long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth.
Insurances We Accept
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