A dental bridge is a custom-made restoration designed to close the gap caused by missing or lost teeth. With the ability to restore your smile and improve your bite, dental bridges can be a highly effective option to replace missing teeth. They are designed to act as an artificial tooth (or set of teeth) attached to healthy adjacent teeth via dental crowns. Best of all, dental bridges can blend in seamlessly with your surrounding teeth and do not require oral surgery to stay in place.

What are the Benefits of a Dental Bridge?

The dental bridges placed by cosmetic dentists Eric Klumb, DDS and Mike Menolascino, DDS are made of highly resilient dental porcelain, which resembles the color and translucency of natural enamel. These porcelain bridges also offer excellent durability so patients can often enjoy a long-lasting replacement for one or more of their teeth. In addition, dental bridges can:

  • Prevent the shifting and loosening of surrounding teeth
  • Stay secure without the need for messy pastes and adhesives
  • Enhance your smile and biting function
  • Be a more affordable treatment option than other restorations

Bridges can provide long-term results, but the attached restorations are not affixed to the jawbone. If you are seeking more security, Drs. Klumb and Menolascino can evaluate whether you can benefit from using dental implants rather than crowns to anchor your dental bridge. Unlike attached bridges, implant-supported bridges are embedded within the gumline, allowing them to stimulate and strengthen the jawbone.

Who is a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges can be ideal for patients who do not want to wear dentures, but who are lacking the necessary bone volume to replace their missing teeth with implants. They can also help individuals who simply do not want to undergo oral surgery to replace consecutive missing teeth. Dr. Klumb and Dr. Menolascino will listen to your goals and review your medical history to determine whether a bridge is the best restorative dentistry solution to restore your smile. If there are many different aspects of your smile you wish to improve, dental bridges can also be incorporated into a complete Smile Makeover plan.

How is the Dental Bridge Procedure Performed?

At Eureka Smiles, we utilize advanced CEREC® technology to manufacture your dental bridge in-office on the same day as your appointment! The process of getting a dental bridge starts with a consultation, in which digital impressions and 3D imaging scans are used to custom-fabricate your restoration. After your digital impressions are taken, Dr. Klumb or Dr. Menolascino will be able to design your bridge at a chairside computer screen. Once the design is complete, the restoration is then milled out of blocks of dental-grade porcelain. Finally, the dental bridge is fitted in your mouth and color-matched to the rest of your smile.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Dental bridges can last for years with good oral hygiene and routine dental appointments to ensure the restoration is in good condition. The strong porcelain material used to craft the dental bridge typically provides long-lasting results as long as you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Fortunately, bridges do not usually require additional maintenance besides brushing and flossing.

How Much Do Dental Bridges Cost?

A dental bridge that is not supported by implants generally costs between $2,000 and $5,000. However, this nationwide average does not necessarily reflect the rates at our practice. The true cost of your dental bridge will be personalized according to the details of your treatment plan, such as:

  • The number of missing teeth to be restored
  • The location of the treated teeth
  • The cost of the crowns used to secure your dental bridge
  • The complexity of your procedure

For patients interested in dental financing, our dentists accept payment plans offered by CareCredit® from qualified applicants. This healthcare lending company is frequently utilized for treatments that are not covered by insurance, as the arrangements available often include low- to no-interest rates within a given promotional period. If you have any questions about the application process or the price of dental bridges in general, please call our practice to speak with a member of our team.

For more information about replacing your missing teeth with dental bridges, or to schedule a consultation with Drs. Klumb or Menolascino, please contact Eureka Smiles today.