Dental Bridge

Dental Bridge Northridge Advanced Dentistry

Have you ever looked at a gap between two tooth and felt that it is not quite a fitting sight or a comfortable feeling? Humans conventionally have 28 teeth on their upper and lower jaw and when any dental mishap leads to a loss of one or more tooth, you can feel uncomfortable and find it difficult to chew food properly. Under any circumstance, if you are missing teeth in your jaw, you should get those gaps fixed at the earliest, since these gaps can become breeding grounds for bacteria and infections.

Dental bridges are one of the most common way to fix the gaps between your teeth, which is also the most common treatment prescribed for the purpose at Northridge Advanced Dentistry. Defined in very simple terms, a dental bridge is a false tooth, which is fixed in place of a missing tooth, and held at its place by abutment with the teeth on either side. At our clinic, each procedure for dental bridges is performed under the supervision and guidance of Dr Isaac Kashani, who are two skilled and experienced dentists, empanelled at our clinic.

Let us get to know more about dental bridges.

Types of dental bridges

There are four common types of dental bridges which are administered at Northridge Advanced Dentistry.

1. Traditional: As the name suggests, this type of bridge consists only of a false tooth or multiple teeth, which are held in place by a dental crown and fixed using a dental cement. This is the most common type of bridge chosen and administered by Dr Isaac Kashani when the case presents presence of natural teeth on both sides of the gap.
2. Cantilever: Quite similar to the erstwhile method, the pontic in this type of setting is held together by a crown that is fixed to only one abutment. Only one side of the gap needs to have natural teeth in this setting.
3. Maryland: This type of dental bridge uses either of metal or porcelain, which is bonded on the back side of the abutment teeth, which lie on either side of the gap. Again, this method can only be used when there is a natural tooth on either side of the gap or the missing tooth.
4. Implant supported: These type of dental bridges uses dental implants, as against crowns, to support the framework. For every missing tooth, a dental implant is placed by a surgical method to hold the bridge in its position. In this process, generally two surgeries are carried out, one at the time of placing the implants and the other, at the time of placing the bridge.

You can get consultation for the type of dental bridge which might suit you the best. Dr Isaac Kashani can help you out in evaluating the best option.

Cases why a dental bridge might be needed by a patient

Missing teeth are a major cause of worry for a person. At some point, you might even get comfortable with the dental gaps in your teeth but over time, these gaps can become the cause of major problems in your mouth. Our jawline is designed to function in conjunction with a complete set of teeth. If even one tooth is missing from your jawline, be prepared to face the consequences, which could range from tilting and drifting of adjacent teeth, effect on bite, hampering chewing of food and more. Even the teeth on the jaw, opposite to the jaw where the tooth is missing, might shift and change their position in response to the missing tooth. As a result, teeth might come under stress and the joints of the jaw might have to function under intense pressure. A person can suffer from a lot of pain and damage once this happens.

Teeth which have shifted from their original place are also harden to clean, which puts them at a high risk of undergoing damage and decay. A long term effect which might manifest itself after years of such incidence is shrinking of the dental bone, where the tooth is missing. This will then lead to a change in the manner in which your jaw bone supports your lips and cheeks, making them appear older than usual.

How do we place your dental bridge at Northridge Advanced Dentistry?

Do you think that you require a dental procedure for your teeth? You are most welcome at Northridge Advanced Dentistry, where Dr Isaac Kashani will be glad to have you and perform a dental bridge procedure on your teeth. Take a look at the entire sequence which is followed at our clinic while administering a dental bridge procedure.

1. At first, Dr Isaac Kashani will determine the type of dental bridge that your teeth require. It could either be a fixed bridge or an implant supported bridge. Fixed bridges are an option when the existing natural teeth are present on either side of the missing tooth. Implant supported bridges are used when the natural teeth are not present on both sides.
2. The first step in placing a fixed bridge involves preparing the sides of the teeth, on which the attachment is to be made.
3. After this, the dentists will take an impression of your teeth, which will be sent to a lab, where your dental bridge will be cast and made.
4. Meanwhile, a temporary bridge will be placed in the empty space to protect the opening of the gap.
5. As soon as we receive your permanent bridge, we will have it fixed and adjusted in the gap where it needs to be fit. Once it is cemented in its place, you will be unable to remove it ever again without the help of a dentist.
6. In case of an implant supported bridge, we would need to carry out two surgeries, the first of which would be performed to place the implants in their place in the jaw.
7. Generally, implant supported bridges are recommended for people who have good health and enough bone to support an implant.
8. Depending on case to case, this procedure might require multiple visits.

Your permanent bridge can be made of any type of material such as metal, ceramic and even a combination of the two. Again, which material to choose for your case, is a decision that you will take with Dr Isaac Kashani at Northridge Advanced Dentistry clinic.

How should you care for your bridges?

It is important to understand that a bridge is heavily dependent upon the surrounding teeth or the jaw, in each case, for its survival and good condition. Should there be any issue with either, a dental bridge will fail to perform as expected. In order to protect and take care of your teeth, you will have to follow a religious dental care regime, which should ideally consist of the following steps:

1. Make it a habit to clean and brush your teeth on a daily basis. Use a floss to clean in between the teeth so that harmful bacteria that form on your teeth and cause plaque, can be removed efficiently.
2. Always make use of tools such as flosses and brushes, that can clean in between the teeth. You can talk about the matter with Dr Isaac Kashani who will help you decide the best dental care regime for your case.
3. Make it a point to visit Northridge Advanced Dentistry at regular intervals, so that our dentists can clean your teeth professionally and ensure that there is no trouble brewing for them.
4. Consume a rich and healthy diet, which fulfils your body’s requirement for essential nutrient and vitamins.
5. Use approved oral health care products and do not indulge in a practice of home remedies, unless discussed with your dentist.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of choosing a dental bridge?

Having understood what a dental bridge is, here’s what will help you understand why you may need it.

1. Bridges give your teeth a very natural look. They can improve the appearance, colour and shape of your teeth. With the modern aesthetics that go into making typical porcelain bridges, you will find that they closely resemble the natural teeth in your mouth.
2. Bridges are one of the most common and easy dental procedures to carry out.
3. Bridges offer an affordable solution to your missing teeth.
4. In the rare case that a bridge fails, replacement can be done quite quickly and at low costs.
5. Bridges can be prepared and adjusted in your teeth in a relatively short span of time.

Here are few drawbacks of bridges that you should consider as well:

1. In order to adjust a bridge, the adjacent teeth take a severe hit. A considerable amount of tooth structure is removed and displaced in the entire procedure, which renders the adjacent teeth never to be used again without crowns.
2. Since some of the structure of the adjacent teeth is removed in the process, the risk of decay and damage increases manifold, which would require a root canal treatment in the future. Also, this increases the need to maintain optimum dental hygiene of the teeth.
3. Typically, every 5 to 7 years, a bridge needs to be replaced.

Let us make a quick comparison of implants and dental bridges, which will add to the value of comparison that you can make when making the choice between the two.

1. Durability: Bridges last for almost 5 – 7 years and might need replacement after that, whereas, implants usually last for more than 15 years.
2. Coverage by insurance: Implants are usually not covered by insurance policies while bridges are covered by most insurance plans.
3. Impact on dental health: There is very minor and sometimes even no bone loss in case of an implant, while there might be some, in the case of a bridge.
4. Oral hygiene routine: In case of implants, you can continue your normal routine of brushing and flossing, while in the case of bridges, you will need to adopt a special dental hygiene routine.
5. Appearance of teeth: You can achieve the best possible natural look with bridges, while implants give you the best possible appearance with their aesthetics.
6. Duration of treatment: With implants, you will have to visit us multiple times, over a span of 3 to 6 months, while in the case of bridges, you can make do with 2 to 3 visits over a few weeks.

Cost of a bridge

When considered for one single tooth, you might have to shell out a minimum of $4000 for a dental implant, while it will cost you anywhere between $1100 to $4500 for a treatment of dental bridges.

Here’s a look at the factors that determine the cost of a dental bridge:

1. The material of the bridge, which could be composite, resin, metal or alloy, will impact the overall cost of the bridge.
2. The number of teeth which require replacing.
3. The existing condition of the adjacent teeth
4. The experience of your dentist.

How to decide which option you should consider

Making the choice between a dental implant a dental bridge, can be a tough one. The quickest and easiest way to determine which option you must choose is to consider the following factors:

1. IF you can afford them, implants are the best option to choose. They have a considerable durability and they do not require replacing for a long time. Even though they are expensive, they are quite justified in being so. Your jaw bone can be preserved, without any impact on the surrounding teeth, which is a major bonus. You can explore options when it comes to the cost of the treatment but if it is still way beyond your affordability, then dental bridges are the option for you.
2. If you are looking for a quick solution to the gaps in your jaw line and wish to avoid surgery, then dental bridges are your solution to a gap – free jawline. Undergoing an implant surgery is not meant for everyone and depends largely on the state of your health and the amount that you can shell out for the treatment. Positive results can be expected even with dental bridges but be prepared for a replacement every few years.

Risks associated with a dental bridge

It is quite uncommon to hear about troubles with dental bridges. Complications in the same have not been heard of but dental procedures, by their very nature, involve a certain degree of risk and the potential to develop one or more problems. While very precaution is observed at Northridge Advanced Dentistry, to ensure that no such problem may be faced by you, Dr Isaac Kashani will definitely ask you to watch out for the following conditions:

1. Any type of allergic reactions to the materials used in making the bridge
2. Any type of chipping of teeth or loosening and loss of the bridge
3. Any appearance of infection on the teeth that might point towards a problem in the bridge
4. Injury to the mouth or the teeth
5. Increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

If and when you face any of these symptoms or conditions, make sure that you reach out to us at the right time.

Why choose Northridge Advanced Dentistry?

Choosing a dentist for undergoing a dental bridge treatment is a crucial decision, since it involves considerable cost and dental procedures. At Northridge Advanced dentistry, every patient is treated with the utmost level of friendliness and accuracy. We are equipped with major leading equipment and tools to assist our dentists, Dr Isaac Kashani, in administering every dental treatment.

We are the leading dental experts in Northridge, welcoming the patronage of patients in this locality and the surrounding environs. We can be reached easily through our customer care contact numbers and through an appointment at our front desk. Dr Isaac Kashani are the leading dental experts working in conjunction with a team of dental professionals, helping our patients lead a better life.

With our expertise and experience in this profession which spans more than a decade, you can trust us to deliver the best dental treatments at the most value for money costs. Reach out to us and book your appointment today, for a quick consultation with Dr Isaac Kashani. You can come and discuss the matter of your dental bridges and the related costs, with Dr Isaac Kashani at any time. Northridge Advanced Dentistry can prove to be your best dental partner in this journey. Reach out to us today and give your teeth the right dental treatment that they deserve for a healthy and confident future.