The procedure for dental bridges is necessary to deal with tooth loss. Loss of teeth is one of the most common dental problems, both for the young and old. A simple tooth loss can cause severe oral illnesses due to several reasons, such as injury, decay or other dental diseases.
Most of the time, poor oral health is the primary root of premature loss of teeth. It may also occur because of unhygienic teeth cleaning routines and health conditions.
Fortunately, with dental bridge treatment in Canada, it is possible to find effective solutions to this problem. In this blog, we answer the common questions about dental bridge treatments. We discuss dental bridge pricing, benefits, aftercare and more!
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a permanent teeth restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth in your mouth. It mimics the look, shape, and even function of natural teeth.
Mostly, dental bridges are used to fill in the gaps of missing teeth. They involve suspending artificial replacements for missing teeth, which provide an effective solution to missing teeth issues.
What are the Advantages of Dental Bridges?
Here’s why you should consider getting dental bridges from a dentist near you.
- These bridges are the quickest and effective mode of replacing your missing teeth and, as a result, will give you a full set of teeth.
- They are budget-friendly. The initial costs of the first procedure will cost less than other procedures. Especially those that address missing tooth problems.
- Aesthetically, dental bridges can provide the benefit of enhancing the shape and colour of your teeth. It looks like natural teeth.
- Dental bridges are durable and can last a considerable length of time.
- Tooth bridges are less invasive than other dental procedures, such as dental implants. It is also a great alternative for those who can’t afford or can’t undergo surgical procedures due to medical reasons.
What is the Step-by-step Procedure for Dental Bridges?
Dental bridge procedures are separated into two appointments:
- Tooth preparation which involves placing a temporary bridge
- Replacing a permanent bridge.
Tooth Preparation and Placing of Temporary Bridge
During the first appointment, a local anesthetic is applied to ensure that you are comfortable and will not feel any pain during the procedure.
Then, your dentist will shape and file all the teeth supporting the bridge. All abutment teeth will be prepared like a dental crown. It means all of the enamel and any additional tooth structure will be removed to make a clear path to the other tooth.
After the teeth are shaped, your dentist will make impressions and send them to a dental laboratory. It is where your personalized dental bridge is created.
Since the permanent bridge won’t be ready yet, your dentist will place a temporary bridge over the gap and newly shaped teeth. If the abutment teeth are not healthy enough to support the bridge, your dentist may place dental implants into your jawbone. This process is called an implant-supported bridge.
Permanent Bridge Placement
When the permanent bridge is ready for placement, you need to visit the clinic for the second appointment.
During the second visit, your dentist will first remove the temporary bridge and clean your teeth before starting the process. Sometimes, if the patient feels any sensitivity or pain, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic before removing the temporary bridge.
Also, your dentist may take x-rays of the bridge to make it fit properly. Lastly, your dentist will use special dental cement to bond the bridge and teeth together.
Dental Bridge Treatments in Toronto: Aftercare
When it comes to dental bridge aftercare, you should know the oral hygiene routines and steps to pain maintenance.
Oral Hygiene Tips
The aftercare routine for dental bridges is similar to that of dental crowns, but extra oral hygiene techniques are necessary once a permanent bridge is placed. The main reason is the area where the fake tooth rests on the gums is hard to clean, resulting in a plaque buildup.
Patients should brush their teeth at least twice a day, regularly floss underneath the bridge and rinse their mouth with mouthwash more often. Doing these simple oral hygiene tips helps prevent cavities at the edge of the bridge and reduces inflammation.
Pain Maintenance
Maryland, Traditional or Cantilever types of dental bridges are mostly painless procedures. However, some patients may experience gum swelling or tenderness days after the procedure.
If this happens to you, your dentist may recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication to ease the pain.
On the other hand, implant-supported bridges require minor surgery. Therefore, it may result in gum tenderness, tooth sensitivity, and jaw swelling for the first few days after the procedure.
How Much Do Dental Bridges Cost?
The cost of a dental bridge depends on what type of bridge you choose, the cost of a dental crown and if you have dental insurance. Typically, most insurance can cover up to 50 percent of the overall cost of a dental bridge.
Below are the types of bridges with their corresponding prices.
Traditional or Cantilever Dental Bridge
The price ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. It already includes one pontic and two dental crowns.
Maryland Dental Bridge
It costs around $1,500 to $2,500 — it already contains one pontic and the framework.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
You can expect to pay $2,500 to $6,500 per implant.
Final Thoughts
Decaying or missing teeth will affect your overall oral health and your facial features, your ability to eat certain foods, and your lifestyle. Thankfully, a dental bridges procedure can restore your teeth’s beautiful structure and effective function.
If you have any questions about dental bridges, Osmin Denture is your one-stop. You may call us at 647-294-3310 to discuss your options today!