What to know when considering a dental bridge

If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close (or bridge) the gaps in your smile with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Typically, pontics are made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.

Why you may need a dental bridge

When you have a missing tooth or gaps between missing teeth, it can have negative effects on your esteem, speech, self-confidence and even your outward appearance. A dental bridge can help by:

• restoring your willingness to smile and show your teeth
• helping to properly chew by properly supporting surrounding teeth
• improve your speech and pronunciation of words
• maintaining the natural shape of your face
• preventing your remaining teeth from moving out of the correct position

Is a dental bridge expensive?

There are many variables that can affect the price including:

• difficulty of the placement in your mouth
• number of teeth needed to fill the gap
• materials used
• the type of bridge that you select

What’s the difference? Dental bridge vs. dental implant

A dental bridge may need to be replaced over a number of years, depending on a variety of factors including hygiene and proper maintenance, while implants are considered a more permanent solution. Sometimes different insurance companies may cover bridges, but not always implants. Check with your provider or visit Longmeadow Family Dental Care and let us look into it for you.