Dental Bridges Torrance
Fill the Gaps in Your Smile
A missing tooth or several missing teeth don’t only look unappealing—they can also cause serious consequences for the remaining teeth in your mouth. Just one missing tooth can adversely affect your bite—what we call the occlusion—causing other teeth to drift out of their proper positions and potentially lead to symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. The troubles don’t end there either! A missing tooth can lead to all sorts of different issues, so make sure to give us a call so that we can rebuild your smile using a custom-made fixed dental bridge in Torrance.
Why Choose Blue Coast Dental Group for Dental Bridges?
- Quality Dental Materials Used for a Natural Appearance
- In-Network Dental Coverage
- Saturday Appointments Available
What Is a Dental Bridge?
As the name suggests, a dental bridge joins the gap where your tooth is missing. Typically, a bridge will replace anywhere from one to four teeth in a row. A bridge is comprised of two crowns and several “pontics.” The crowns will be anchored onto your adjacent teeth or dental implants. This restoration can be made from a variety of durable materials depending on where the bridge is needed in your mouth.
Types of Dental Bridges
The style of dental bridge that you need depends on the location and number of missing teeth you have. Here are the available ones:
Traditional Dental Bridges
For those who still have healthy teeth on either side of the gap, a traditional bridge is often the ideal option. The teeth that support the crowns are called “abutments.” They are altered slightly so the bridge will fit comfortably in your mouth. Usually, this restoration can be placed in just a few visits.
Implant Bridges
If you don’t have any healthy adjacent teeth, you could opt for an implant bridge. This type of bridge uses surgically implanted metal posts, also known as dental implants, as an alternative. Implants can be used when there are three or more missing teeth in a row. Implant bridges tend to last longer than traditional ones, and they can help to prevent bone loss over time.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Here are some benefits that you can experience when you choose a dental bridge to replace the tooth or teeth you lost:
- Prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting
- Improves your overall confidence and self-esteem
- Allows for easier, more thorough chewing
- Improves speech articulation
- Lowers the risk of oral health issues
- Cost-effective tooth replacement option
Dental Bridges FAQs
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
Whatever your fears, rest assured: getting a dental bridge isn’t painful. Dentists take steps to ensure the process is as comfy as possible.
You see, the dental team numbs your mouth before treatment starts. (They typically just use a topical anesthetic. Still, they can include sedatives on request.). That way, you won’t feel discomfort from bridge preparation or placement. The most you’ll sense is slight pressure as the dentist works.
Admittedly, treated teeth may be sensitive following bridge placement. The numbing effect from treatment won’t last. That said, these aches are temporary and will fade in a few days. You can also take pain medication to manage them in the meantime.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
A dental bridge is made to replace several pearly whites. In particular, it can restore one to four teeth based on your needs. Despite these facts, though, the typical bridge only replaces one or two.
Put simply, a bridge becomes less stable as it extends further. This instability is likely if the supporting teeth aren’t healthy. Consequently, having a bridge replace three or more chompers is risky.
Of course, it’s possible to reduce the extension risk. One approach is to use an implant bridge – a model that secures itself with dental implants. The latter restorations are quite strong, so the overall appliance could replace three or four teeth.
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last?
The average dental bridge lasts around 5-15 years. Just the same, the exact lifespan will vary depending on circumstance.
While material also plays a role, your lifestyle is the strongest influence on a bridge’s lifespan. Things like diet, dental hygiene, and bad oral habits (if any) will determine if the treatment fails early. So, make sure to give your bridge the care it deserves.
Other elements that impact bridge success include:
- Tooth Location(s) – Bridges replacing front teeth last slightly longer, as they don’t wear and tear as much.
- Bridge Type – An implant bridge has a longer lifespan than a traditional one.
Do Dental Bridges Feel Natural?
Within a few days of placement, a permanent dental bridge feels increasingly natural. There’ll eventually come a point where you hardly notice its presence.
One reason for this fact is that bridges are durable. More specifically, they can withstand everyday chewing forces as easily as tooth enamel. Eating with them shouldn’t feel strange.
Also, keep in mind that every bridge is custom-made. Your dentist even reshapes your abutment teeth to ensure a comfortable fit. As such, your bridge shouldn’t feel awkward. It may seem slightly different to the touch than other teeth, but that’s all.