It’s not pleasant to miss a tooth, but it’s crucial to have your oral health lined up. If you are having one or more missing teeth, your smile’s beauty and appearance will be negatively impacted.
Consequences of a Missing Tooth
Some common consequences of a missing tooth are a change in the occlusion (bite), tooth shifting, TMJ dysfunction, speech impairment, an increased risk of periodontal disease, and a higher likelihood of developing dental cavities.
Today, there are many restorative dental options for restoring missing teeth; however, in this article, we will concentrate on the dental bridge. Dental bridges restore lost teeth, just like partial dentures and implants. With dental bridges, patients who have lost the beauty of their smile can now have both the appearance and beauty restored when they smile.
What is a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are dental prostheses used to fill up tooth gaps. They are constructed from numerous crowns that are customized for the patient’s mouth and fashioned to look just like the teeth beside it. A dental bridge replaces the space left by one or more missing teeth, and it is usually created from a variety of materials, including zirconium or metal-ceramic. They all guarantee an extremely appealing outcome.
When to use a Dental Bridge?
Fixed partial dentures known as dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth. As advised by a dentist, under the following circumstances should you use a dental bridge…
- When you want to restore natural teeth that have been prematurely lost.
- When it comes to restoring beauty, functionality and appearance to teeth that have experienced extreme damage, severe fractures, or previous endodontic treatment, a Dental bridge is the best option.
Different Types of Bridge?
Based on how the prosthesis is supported, we have 4 major types of dental bridges.
Traditional Dental Bridge
The most common type of dental bridge is the traditional bridge, however, it needs the nearby natural teeth to be in place in order to function. Pontiacs are connected to dental crowns that are bonded to the abutment teeth on each side of the gap to create a typical dental bridge.
Maryland Dental Bridge
The natural teeth on each side of the gap must still be present in order for a Maryland dental bridge to be used. The abutment teeth are where a Maryland bridge differs from a conventional bridge. A Maryland bridge is made of metal or porcelain and is attached to the back sides of the natural teeth acting as the abutment teeth in place of dental crowns holding the pontic in place.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
Similar to a traditional bridge, a cantilever bridge just needs one natural tooth to act as an abutment. With a cantilever bridge, the pontic is supported over the space by the dental crown, which is affixed to one natural tooth.
Fixed or Implant-Supported
An implant-supported or fixed dental crown requires a more expensive surgery that must be carried out by an oral surgeon. Titanium posts are inserted into the bone and gum tissue where teeth are lacking to support a dental bridge that is supported by implants. The pontic will be supported by these pillars, which act as abutments. You must have enough bone density to sustain the implant in order to be a good candidate for an implant-supported bridge. To increase bone density, a bone graph can be required.
The first surgery in this multi-step process is inserting the titanium posts into the gum and bone. To enable regular speaking, eating, and smiling, temporary fake teeth are fastened to the posts. These incisions take approximately four to five months to heal. Permanent crowns are attached to the titanium posts with cement after healing. Due to the implants’ placement in the bone, dental bridges supported by implants are regarded as permanent.
Dental Bridge vs Dental Implants
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are a type of dental restoration that replaces missing teeth by using artificial teeth called pontic
Prior to the invention of removable partial dentures, dental bridges were the sole option for replacing a missing tooth. The teeth on either side of the empty socket serve as support for these restorations (abutment teeth). Dental bridges require healthy teeth to be drilled, which occasionally results in the decay or infection of these teeth over time, despite the fact that they are a more fixed solution than a partial denture. Depending on how well you maintain them, dental bridges often last between five and fifteen years. Despite being less expensive than dental implants, they may cost more in the long run if they need to be repaired or replaced more frequently.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are metallic elements that are surgically placed in the maxillary bones, under the gums. Once in place, the dentist can fit fixed crowns or bridges over them to replace missing teeth.
Due to their long-lasting natural function and appearance, dental implants are the preferred tooth replacement alternative in the current world. The fact that dental implants are made to exclusively replace the missing tooth is a huge advantage. They are surgically placed into the jaw like a normal tooth root and do not require the modification of any other teeth. As a result, dental implants are among the safest and longest-lasting tooth replacement choices. Dental implants can easily last the rest of your life with the right care. Dental implants are specially made to appear and feel like natural teeth in addition to offering this greater level of stability and functionality.
Does Insurance cover Dental Bridges?
Yes. However, the insurance coverage varies by provider and plan. Some insurance plans contain pre-existing condition exclusions, so you’ll want to confirm that your dental problems are not regarded as pre-existing conditions that would disqualify them from insurance coverage.
Additionally, depending on your insurance plan, you might have to wait up to a year before using it for anything other than preventative care, such as dental bridges. In order to ensure that you are looking for the most cost-effective alternative for your dental bridge as a replacement for your missing teeth, it is crucial to understand your insurance coverage.
How much does a Dental Bridge Cost without Insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, you’ll be charged for both the total price of the dental bridge and any further treatment costs. The following criteria affect how much dental bridges would cost. They are:
- The potential requirement for further treatments (such as fillings or root canals) on one or more of the neighbouring teeth.
- The laboratory technician’s and dentist’s artistic techniques.
- The dental office’s location.
- The protection that your dental insurance provides.
- The kind of material the bridge is made of.
- The steps included in the procedure’s tooth preparation.
- Based on the aforementioned criteria, the cost of dental bridges might range from $500 to $1,500 per tooth. (Compare that to the cost of dental implants per tooth). Also, note that this cost is per artificial tooth replacement.
- Even though your bridge could only be replacing one missing tooth, it could contain three pontic(s), which would require you to pay for three artificial teeth. The price in this instance would range from $1,500 to $4,500.
- If you practice good oral care and schedule routine checkups with your dentist, your bridge should last for many years.
- You might be able to use the services of a third-party financing business, like CareCredit or Capital One, if your dental insurance coverage does not cover this treatment or if you do not have insurance. Candidates that meet the requirements can work with a financing firm to create a payment schedule that best fits their budget.
- There are many variables that can affect the longevity of dental bridges, although it is not unusual for them to last 10 to 20 years.
How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost with Insurance?
With insurance coverage, your dental bridge will cost you substantially less. Dental bridges are frequently up to 50% covered by dental insurance, with the 40% to 50% range being the most typical. You should check with your provider to confirm coverage maximum limitations, copays, and deductibles to avoid unpleasant surprises and to completely understand your financial obligations with insurance.
What Advantages Does a Dental Bridge Have?
There are several benefits of dental bridges for the health of our teeth. Amongst these benefits, the following stand out:
- They enable the patient’s smile to regain its aesthetic appeal.
- The dental bridge lasts a lifetime with good maintenance.
- They fill in the gaps, and because of where they are placed, unintended movements of the natural teeth are prevented.
- They restore the patient’s mouth’s functionality, enabling painless chewing and speech.
- Its positioning ensures that the chewing loads are well distributed, preventing unneeded mandibular tensions.
Wrapping Up
With your dentist, you can go over alternatives in tooth replacement when you lose some of yours. Dental bridges provide a lot of advantages, and you should think about a lot of aspects, including expenses, before making a choice. Having insurance that covers health would greatly minimize your out-of-pocket expenses in situations such as this.