You’ve undoubtedly crossed several bridges in your life and understand that a bridge is an excellent way to close a gap reaching from one side to the other. Likewise, a dental bridge serves a very similar purpose within your mouth: it “bridges” the gap made by a missing tooth. Dental Bridges are an excellent option when it comes to the replacement of a missing tooth. At South Lincoln Family Dentistry, our dentists me in Lincoln, NE, along with their team, are here to help make your decisions easier.
In our article we’ll cover:
The Advantages of a Dental Bridge
- To restore your smile:
A dental bridge looks natural and blends in flawlessly with surrounding teeth.
- To restore your bite:
By distributing the weight of your bite over multiple teeth, a bridge restores your ability to chew comfortably.
- To restore your ability to speak:
Losing a tooth can give difficulties while speaking. A dental bridge will repair the space in your mouth, helping you to speak with confidence.
- To prevent remaining teeth from shifting:
Because a bridge is a permanent placeholder, it prevents other teeth from moving. Shifting teeth increases the chance of a problematic bite, sore jaw, and likelihood of cavities by creating new areas on your teeth for plaque to cover.
A dental bridge can last a long time if it is properly maintained. Most importantly, bridges can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years with the proper checkups, brushing, and flossing. It is not unusual for the lifespan of a bridge to be ten years or more.
While some bridges can last decades, they occasionally can become loose or fall out altogether. To ensure the longevity of your bridge, one of the most important steps you can take is to practice good oral hygiene habits:
- Make it a goal to keep your gums and teeth healthy by brushing with toothpaste with fluoride in it twice daily and flossing daily.
- Make sure to see a “dentist near me in Lincoln, NE” or hygienist regularly for dental checkups and professional cleanings.
- To prevent the destruction of your new bridge, avoid chewing, especially hard foods, ice, and other hard objects.
The cost of a bridge initially depends on the particular type of dental bridge your dentist near me in Lincoln, NE recommends for you. However, most provided insurance plans cover a portion of the cost, and if you don’t have insurance, South Lincoln Family Dentistry provides easy-to-understand payment plans to keep your treatment manageable.
Which one is a better option?
Deciding between a dental bridge or a dental implant can be a hard decision. So, here are a few general guidelines that we follow, which may help you decide. If the teeth adjacent to a missing space are already decayed or cracked and require crowns, a bridge would be a more practical option. Do keep in mind, however, an implant is in almost all cases, the number one option. An implant is considered the most conservative option for tooth replacement. Why? Because by doing an implant, the adjacent teeth surrounding the missing space are not affected.
Is a dental bridge better than an implant?
Choosing to place an implant over a bridge also gives the benefit of bone preservation. A sunken-in appearance can result from a lack of bone support for facial structures when teeth are removed. This is because bone dissolves in the space your living tooth once occupied. Implants, on the other hand, keep bone active and prevent resorption.
Learn more from our dentist in Lincoln, NE about dental bridge problems.
Let’s Compare:
Dental Bridges versus Dental Implants
| Comparison: | Bridge | Implants |
| Basic Information to help you make an Informed Decision! | Used to bridge the gap created by missing teeth. | An excellent long-term solution to replace missing teeth. |
| Longevity: | 7 – 30 Years | Lifetime |
| Preservation of healthy adjacent teeth: | No | Yes |
| Transmission of force to: | Adjacent Teeth | Bone |
| Prevent bone loss & preserve facial appearance: | Partially | Yes |
| A requirement for daily flossing: | Yes | Yes |
| Risk of developing cavities: | Yes | No |
| Accelerated loss of adjacent teeth: | Yes | No |
| The time needed to complete the procedure: | 2 – 3 Weeks | 3 – 6 Months |
Who Benefits from Bridges?
Patients who have one missing tooth can benefit from this procedure. Also, if the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth require additional support, a bridge can be beneficial. Keep in mind, however, if you do choose a dental bridge for tooth replacement, there will still be some bone loss, and you could still develop cavities.
Does a dental bridge damage teeth?
While the bridge itself won’t damage teeth, the steps taken to prepare adjacent teeth for a bridge does indeed compromise surrounding teeth.
The teeth on either side of a missing tooth must be “shaved down” and prepped for crowns to allow for the placement of a bridge, which in a sense does “damage” existing teeth. When these teeth are prepped for crowns some healthy tooth enamel is lost.
With that being said, dental bridges do still make a great option for the replacement of a missing tooth. Be sure to discuss all options for tooth replacement with your dentist in Lincoln, NE.
Who benefits from implants?
Patients who have a single missing tooth, especially a chewing tooth, could benefit from this procedure. Although rare, it is a possibility that a patient might not be a good candidate for implants. On occasion, additional surgery may be necessary to help ensure adequate bone support for the implants that are placed. Want to explore additional option? Curious about implant dentures? Learn more from our dentist in Lincoln, NE about implant dentures.
What is the cost of a dental bridge near me?
In short, the cost of a “dental bridge near me” is approximately $3300 without dental insurance coverage.
The cost of one single implant is typically around $3500-$4000. In contrast, a three-unit bridge, as stated above, costs roughly $3300 without any dental insurance. However, if your insurance policy does cover part of your treatment, the cost could be lower. Either way, our team and dentist near me in Lincoln, NE, at South Lincoln Family Dentistry is here for you. We offer a variety of dental services including the Hybrid Prosthesis and payment plans. Learn more from our dentist in Lincoln, NE about dental payment plans. We believe everyone deserves to smile!
The information on this page was written by Dr. Christine Bergman.
This gentle dentist in Lincoln, NE says: “I am extremely privileged to be part of this amazing profession. I find there is nothing that is more rewarding than helping my patients learn how to care for their smiles in addition to becoming healthier overall. I feel patients deserve personalized dental care. Therefore, quality dental care is my number one goal. While providing top-notch dental care for you, I want your dental experience to be positive and comfortable.”
You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or her partners, online 24/7 at a South Lincoln Family Dentistry location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Roca, Bennet, Firth, Crete, and Hickman!
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