Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth in order to improve the appearance, durability, and functionality of your smile.
Overview
If one or several of your teeth have fallen out, it is not just a cosmetic problem — gaps in your teeth may cause your remaining teeth to move out of position. This may lead to unnecessary tension in your bite, pain when you chew, or even difficulty speaking. A bridge improves the health and appearance of your smile by filling in gaps using a false tooth that is supported by either crowns, dental implants, or both. At Brian Wong D.D.S. P.A. (formerly Stonebriar Dental) in Frisco, TX, board-certified dentist Dr. Brian Wong offers bridges custom made with high-quality materials to help give you back your smile. If you have one or more teeth missing from your smile, schedule a consultative appointment at our Frisco office to get more information about your treatment options with a dental bridge.
Best Candidates
Missing teeth are not just an aesthetic problem, because spaces in your smile may affect the health of your mouth. Your teeth are balanced carefully and missing teeth may impact how well you can use them. With time, gaps may cause shifting of your teeth, causing problems with your bite (overbite, underbite, crossbite) and gum or jawbone atrophy. To place a bridge, the surrounding teeth must be healthy enough to hold the restoration, with good density in the jawbone and healthy gum tissue. At Brian Wong D.D.S. P.A., one of our experienced dentists will examine your gums and jaw at your consultation to help you choose the best type of bridge (cantilever, traditional, resin bonded, or Maryland bonded) and material (ceramic, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and metal).
What to Expect
Once your supporting teeth are filed down to prepare them, your dentist will take digital images and dental impressions so your bridge can be created. A temporary bridge may be used while your custom one is crafted. As soon as your dental bridge is ready, your mouth may be given local anesthesia. Stronger sedation methods can be discussed for fears, anxieties, or trouble with a gag reflex to help keep you calm during the placement. Your custom bridge can be glued into its position or connected to implants, based on the method you and your dentist decided on at your consult. Your dentist will also adjust the position of your bridge so it is comfortable and stable.
Follow-Up
After your bridge is in place, you should have a noticeable improvement in your teeth’s function and appearance. You may schedule a follow-up appointment at Brian Wong D.D.S. P.A. to alter your bridge’s fit if it feels loose after it is placed. Your dentist or an assistant on their team will teach you to care for your dental bridge, including the ways to keep it clean and and what foods to avoid. It’s important to frequently clean your bridge and mouth because decay can develop under the bridge. If you properly care for it, your dental bridge may stay in place for several years. You need to schedule appointments at Brian Wong D.D.S. P.A. to get an annual dental examination and cleaning twice a year. In your examination, your dentist can assess the health and fit of your dental bridge to decide if it should be be replaced or repaired.
Insurance Coverage
Bridges and other dental restorations are generally covered, in part, by dental insurance companies. Our office will talk to your dental insurance company to figure out your out-of-pocket expenses. Brian Wong D.D.S. P.A. offers several methods of payment, including financing options, that may be reviewed in your consultation. We will help you choose the best bridge material and type to suit your budget and needs.
Dental Bridge Restorations
Even if you don’t mind the way your smile looks with a gap from a missing tooth or teeth, it may turn into more expensive troubles if you don’t get it fixed. Make an appointment with one of our board-certified dentists to get more information about bridge restorations and the options that match your unique needs. Brian Wong D.D.S. P.A. (formerly Stonebriar Dental) is pleased to offer custom dental bridges that can improve the health and appearance of your mouth. Contact our team in Frisco, TX to make your consultation.
