Dental Bridges
Teeth are intended to work and fit together, and our Beyond Dentistry Clearwater believes that a missing tooth should never be overlooked or ignored. One dependable restorative dentistry method can reinstate one to a few adjacent missing teeth is a dental bridge.
What is a dental bridge?
Sometimes called a “tooth bridge” or “teeth bridge,” a dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic that can be used to replace one or several missing teeth in a row. Dental bridges are supported by two dental crowns and have false teeth between.
When are dental bridges suggested?
Dental bridges are ideal for patients with one to a few missing teeth and healthy adjacent teeth that can support tooth crowns. Furthermore, a missing tooth (or teeth) can affect your life in several ways, and a dental bridge can address these deviations in the following ways:
- Restore your ability to properly chew, speak, and smile
- Maintain facial shape
- Readjust your bite and evenly distribute biting forces
- Prevent natural teeth from moving out of an ideal position
Our Dental Bridge Process: What to Expect
At Beyond Dentistry, our team can typically install dental bridges in as little as two appointments:
- Comprehensive Exam and Personalized Treatment Plan: Our Clearwater dental team will look at the status of your smile and design a treatment plan just for you.
- Preliminary Procedures and Digital Impressions: If required, our dentist will perform dental extractions or other preliminary procedures. Also, our team will prepare your smile for a dental bridge by lightly shaving down enamel on the supporting teeth, taking digital impressions, and placing a temporary dental bridge.
- Dental Bridge Lab Creation: We’ll send your comprehensive digital dental impressions to our dental lab so that our lab technicians can create a seamless dental bridge.
- Final Fitting: When your custom-made dental bridge returns from the lab, a Beyond Dentistry team member will call you to come back in for a final fitting and cementation.
Have Questions about Dental Bridges in Clearwater, FL?
Check out these frequently asked questions regarding dental bridges or other tooth-replacement methods in Dunedin, FL, Clearwater, or surrounding cities, or call us at (727) 304-3156 to speak with our team for more information or a convenient consultation at our Clearwater, FL, dental office.
While dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, most insurance policies cover the cost of dental bridges because they are more affordable and are ideal for patients that are not candidates for dental implants.
Tooth loss is more than an aesthetic issue. When tooth loss occurs, the neighboring teeth may drift or tilt into the vacant spot. Also, the teeth in the opposite (upper or lower) jaw might shift up or down toward the space. Eventually, this might negatively impact the bite, place excessive stress on the jaw joints and teeth, make the face look older, and potentially lead to pain. Additionally, misaligned teeth are harder to clean, which puts them at a higher risk for cavities and periodontal disease.
The cost of a dental bridge varies and depends on the amount of teeth needed to replace, the difficulty of the treatment, and materials used. Schedule a consultation at our near Dunedin dental office for a firm price for your dental bridge.
Dental bridges come with several advantages, like reduced sensitivity from exposed roots. Also, since they’re supported by your natural teeth, they can improve your ability to chew and speak comfortably.
Professional Cleaning
To start things off, we’ll perform a complete cleaning of your teeth and gums, using special tools to remove any plaque and tartar that may have built up along the gumline. Essential aspects of your cleaning will include thorough flossing between your teeth in all those hard-to-reach places, and scraping off plaque that has accumulated along the gum line. To finish the cleaning process, we’ll polish your teeth, leaving you feeling refreshed, revitalized, and ready to smile.
Any Necessary X-Rays
If you’re new to the office or haven’t had dental x-rays in a while, your Clearwater dentist may recommend that you take some during your preventive care appointment. Dental x-rays let us see what’s going on beneath the surface of your smile, giving us the ability to find issues that may not be visible otherwise. With x-rays, we’re able to make more accurate diagnoses and create more effective and efficient treatment plans.
Comprehensive Exam
Your dentist will review your x-rays and then take a thorough look at your teeth, gums, and the rest of your mouth. If we spot any issues, we’ll take the time to educate you on our findings, so you can keep your dental health on the right track. We make it our goal to keep you educated about your oral well-being, so you can make the right decisions for your smile.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Using the information we’ve gathered with your exam and x-rays, we’ll work together with you to craft a treatment plan customized for your unique oral health needs, budget, and lifestyle. If everything looks good, we’ll simply schedule your next routine cleaning and checkup.
Schedule Follow Up Appointment
Our Clearwater team is here for you! No matter what kind of treatment you schedule, our team is standing by to answer any questions you may have about insurance, financing, or anything else. We’ll do everything possible to make sure your every visit is straightforward and stress-free.
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Hours
MONDAY: 9AM-6PM
TUESDAY: 8AM-5PM
WEDNESDAY: 8AM-5PM
THURSDAY: 8AM-5PM
FRIDAY: 9AM-1PM
SATURDAY: Closed
SUNDAY: Closed
