Dental Bridges in Traverse City and Petoskey, MI
Restore Your Smile With Dental Bridges
Losing a tooth can be a difficult experience, affecting both the appearance and functionality of your smile. Fortunately, dental bridges are a popular and effective treatment option for replacing missing teeth. A temporary bridge may be used during the initial stages of the dental bridge procedure to protect the abutment teeth and ensure proper fitting before the permanent bridge is placed. Don’t let your dental health get worse — replace your missing tooth, or teeth, at Northwood Dental.
Contact our dentist in Traverse City and Petoskey, MI today by calling our dental office at our Traverse City office at (231) 947-7202 or our Petoskey office at (231) 347-2188. We’ll schedule your consultation as soon as possible so you can get your oral health back on track.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that are used to replace missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth supported by the surrounding teeth, known as abutment teeth, or dental implants. Dental bridges can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or metal.
Different Types of Dental Bridges, Including Implant Supported Bridge
There are several types of dental bridges, including:
- Traditional Dental Bridge: This is the most common type of dental bridge. It consists of one or more artificial teeth anchored to adjacent teeth using dental crowns.
- Cantilever Dental Bridge: This type of bridge is used when only one adjacent tooth is to support the artificial tooth.
- Maryland Dental Bridge: This type of bridge is made of a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of supporting teeth. Maryland bridges are typically used to replace front teeth. Maryland bridges are a type of resin-bonded bridge, which involves porcelain fused with a metal framework that connects to existing teeth. Resin-bonded bridges, including Maryland bridges, are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework.
- Implant-Supported Bridge: This type of bridge is supported by dental implants instead of natural teeth. Implant-supported bridges are a more durable and long-lasting option and a more costly one.
Dental Bridge Benefits
When replacing a missing tooth or teeth with a dental bridge, patients may experience the following benefits:
- Restored smile
- Improved functionality
- Maintains facial structure
- Prevents further dental complications
- Long-lasting restoration
- Affordable solution
- Boost in confidence
- Minimally-invasive procedure
To schedule your consultation, contact Dr. Klym at Northwood Dental by calling the Phone Number today.
Dental Bridge Procedure
The dental bridge procedure involves preparing the adjacent natural teeth, called abutments, by reshaping them to support the bridge. A custom-made bridge, consisting of the replacement tooth or teeth (called pontics) and crowns for the abutment teeth, is placed over the prepared teeth with dental cement, restoring function and aesthetics. The bridge is cemented in place, providing a fixed solution for missing teeth. After getting a dental bridge, proper care ensures its longevity so schedule regular dental check-ups and keep a consistent oral hygiene routine at home.
The Costs of a Dental Bridge
While the costs of your dental bridge will vary based on several factors, you can expect to spend between $2,000 and $5,000. Factors that will influence the total cost include:
- Geographical location
- Materials used
- The type of dental bridge (cantilever bridge, implant-supported bridge, traditional fixed bridge, Maryland dental bridge) needed
- Number of teeth that need to be replaced
- Dentist’s expertise and experience
- Dental insurance plan
- Additional procedures
Financing Dental Bridges at Northwood Dental
At Northwood Dental, we understand that achieving a healthy, confident smile with a dental bridge can be an investment. We’re dedicated to making that investment accessible through various financing options to fit your budget.
Finance Your Smile over Time
We’re pleased to offer financing options through Wells Fargo and CareCredit for qualified patients. This allows you to spread the cost of your dental bridge over manageable monthly payments, making your treatment more affordable and allowing you to focus on achieving your smile goals.
Maximize Your Insurance Coverage
We participate with most dental insurance plans and are proud to be Delta Dental providers. Our knowledgeable team will gladly review your insurance coverage and explain how it can be applied to minimize your out-of-pocket costs for your dental bridge.
Additional Options for Uninsured Patients
We understand that not everyone has dental insurance. If you’re uninsured, feel free to inquire about our Dental Membership Program, designed to provide affordable access to essential dental care.
Can You Get a Dental Bridge for Missing Teeth?
Being a candidate for a dental bridge depends on several factors. Our dentist will consider the risks and the following before recommending a dental bridge procedure:
- Location of Missing Teeth: A dental bridge requires healthy, existing teeth on either side of the gap to serve as abutments (support). If there aren’t stable teeth on either side, a bridge may not be an option.
- The health of Adjacent Teeth: The supporting teeth should be strong enough to support the bridge. This means they should be free of decay and gum disease, and have good bone support. If the adjacent teeth are compromised, they might not be suitable as abutments, or they might require treatment first.
- Number of Missing Teeth: Traditional bridges are generally suitable for replacing one to three adjacent missing teeth. If more teeth are missing, or spread out, other options like partial dentures or dental implants might be more appropriate.
- Oral Hygiene: Patients should have good oral hygiene habits or be willing to improve them. A bridge requires meticulous cleaning around and under the false tooth/teeth.
- Gum Health: Patients with untreated gum disease might not be good candidates for a dental bridge until the gum issues are addressed.
- Occlusion (Bite) Considerations: The way the upper and lower teeth come together (the bite) can influence the success of a bridge. If there are significant bite issues, they need to be addressed either before or in conjunction with a bridge placement.
- Bone Loss: If a tooth has been missing for a long time, there can be significant bone loss in that area. While this doesn’t necessarily preclude someone from getting a bridge, it might make other options like implants more challenging without additional procedures like bone grafting. In cases of significant bone loss, a dental implant might be a more suitable option than a dental bridge, as implants can provide better support and longevity.
