Dental Bridges – Everett, WA
Filling in the Space Created by Missing Teeth
Gaps within a smile can be distracting and off-putting, especially if a person is interviewing for a job or meeting someone new. However, at Albright Family Dental, we can remedy the problem before these spaces become a real issue. With customized dental bridges in Everett, Dr. Kaopua can rebuild your smile so that it appears balanced and beautiful while also improving your oral health. Let us know if you would like to discuss your eligibility for a dental bridge by calling our office to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Albright Family Dental for Dental Bridges?
- Tooth-Colored, Metal-Free Materials Used
- Dentist Committed to Refining Skills Through Continuing Education
- Caring Dental Team By Your Side
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge serves one purpose – to fill in the gaps created by missing teeth. Its customization and function make it a reliable option for anyone who needs to rebuild their smile but prefers a less invasive, more conservative solution (as opposed to an implant bridge).
A well-crafted bridge consists of two dental crowns that are secured to abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. In between the crowns are tooth-colored pontics or artificial teeth. Their purpose is to rest atop the gums and create a natural-looking, complete smile.
Once firmly in place, the bridge will allow you to eat more of your favorite foods, speak without a lisp, and smile confidently.
Types of Dental Bridges
When multiple missing teeth need to be rebuilt, there are two options you can choose from: traditional fixed bridges or implant bridges. You can expect your dentist in Everett to go over each one during your first appointment.
Traditional Dental Bridge
Considered a more conservative option for tooth replacement, traditional dental bridges only require the altering of healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. This ensures the bridge remains firmly in place, as the crowns will fit over these areas and be bonded into place with dental cement. If properly taken care of, these prosthetics can last 10+ years.
Implant Bridge
As a more invasive yet durable solution, an implant bridge can be used to generate greater confidence and stability. Using two dental implant posts to anchor the bridge in place, they’re positioned within the jawbone for maximum support. Once the restoration is crafted and secured in place, you can prepare to spend the next 30+ years enjoying life like never before.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges can help you look at life in a new way. However, choosing to forgo replacement can negatively affect your overall health and well-being in many ways. Whether it’s through your self-confidence, ability to speak clearly or eat the foods you love, or the potential for future oral health problems, it’s not worth the risk.
By choosing to pursue a dental bridge to replace your missing teeth, you’ll appreciate the following benefits the most:
- A prosthetic that looks natural, so others will be unable to differentiate between your real and artificial teeth
- Long-lasting set of teeth that you can enjoy for many years without requiring replacement
- Improved bite quality and chewing power, so you can eat the foods you love
- Natural teeth that remain in place instead of drifting out of alignment
Dental Bridges FAQs
Are Dental Bridges Removable?
There are several potential ways to replace missing teeth, and not all of them are considered permanent. Many patients near Everett have heard professionals in the field refer to partial dentures as “removable bridges”, leading them to believe these restorations can be regularly removed and reinserted. However, this language is misleading because the two solutions are very different treatments.
These prosthetics contain the correct number of pontics (artificial teeth) sandwiched between two dental crowns that anchor either to abutment teeth or implants in your mouth. Once they’re cemented in place, they’re not meant to be removed except by a professional.
Does Getting a Dental Bridge Hurt?
Many people worry that replacing their missing teeth this way might hurt, but thankfully, that’s not the case. Before starting your procedure, Dr. Kaopua will numb and/or sedate you so that you remain calm and comfortable the entire time. Then, if your bridge is being attached to healthy teeth in your mouth, he must remove a small amount of enamel so it fits correctly on top of them. This can cause some sensitivity afterward, but it usually dissipates on its own after a few days.
Placing your new teeth is so straightforward that you might not even require a numbing agent, but our team will provide it as needed to help you relax. If you feel tender or sore afterwards, taking over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen is usually safe to relieve associated aches.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Usually Last?
Your oral appliance has the potential to improve your smile’s appearance and functionality for many years. Dental bridges usually last anywhere from 5 to 15 or more years, depending on how well you care for them.
You can extend the lifespan of your new teeth by:
- Keeping your mouth clean. Your restoration can’t decay, but the teeth it’s anchored to can. You must continue brushing and flossing twice daily to prevent issues like cavities and gum disease that can impact it.
- Watch what you eat. Steer clear of overly hard or sticky foods that could chip your bridge or yank it out of place.
- Adjust your habits. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages can erode the cement holding your prosthetic in place and should be avoided.
Do Dental Bridges Look Natural?
Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life because gaps in your grin can impact everything from your ability to eat and speak to the way you look. In the past, replacements were made of amalgam metal that, though incredibly resilient, didn’t do much to improve patients’ appearances.
If you’re worried your prosthetics will stick out like a sore thumb, you can thankfully set your fears aside. Dr. Kaopua stays current with the most up-to-date dental technology, materials, and techniques to provide beautiful, long-lasting dental bridges. The resilient, tooth-colored materials he uses can be customized to be just the right shape, shade, and size for seamless results.