Benefits of
Dental Bridges

The use of dental bridges can bring back your beautiful smile and alleviate self-consciousness about how you appear with missing teeth. The gap left by missing teeth must also be filled up because the surrounding teeth tend to drift from their normal alignment to fill in the gap. Tooth drifting will result in an abnormal bite and chewing pattern.

In a properly maintained state, bridges can last for a long time. Unfortunately, they can also break, most often due to decay of the natural teeth holding them or because of bond failure.

The following are some of the additional benefits of dental bridges:

  • Restoration of a natural-looking smile
  • Prevention of tooth drift and maintenance of normal tooth alignment
  • Maintenance of effective chewing and speaking abilities
  • Proper distribution of force when biting due to lack of missing teeth
  • Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth.
  • Speech and pronunciation rehabilitation.

Why Choose
Ashburton Dental Centre for Dental Bridges in Martin

As a family-centred dental practice and your partner in dental health, our mission is to provide high-quality oral care and improve dental health. Providing outstanding service and results that you can trust is the foundation on which we build long-lasting relationships with our patients.
Our dental office have the latest technology and equipment available to ensure safe and effective treatments. Restorative dentistry, particularly dental bridge installation, is one of our clinic’s services. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if you may be a candidate for it.
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(08) 9490-8777

FAQ's About Getting Dental Bridges in Martin

Depending on the type of bridge you choose, the price of dental bridges may vary. The total cost of a cantilever bridge in Martin may be between $2,700 and >$3,400. An alternative is a traditional bridge with two crowns, which can cost anywhere between $4,200 and $5,800. On the other hand, an implant-supported bridge can cost between $6,200 and $9,500.

Several other factors may affect the cost of a dental bridge. These include:

  • Amount of teeth necessary to fill a gap.
  • Bridge materials used like zirconia, composite resin, or resin-covered metal alloys
  • Installation difficulty.
  • Preparatory dental treatments required prior to dental bridge installation

Teeth can be lost due to a variety of reasons. Among these are gum disease or injury and tooth decay. Some congenital diseases, like ectodermal dysplasia or Down’s syndrome, can also cause one to be born with missing teeth. Regardless of the cause, missing teeth can impede oral function and affect facial aesthetics.

As each tooth plays an important role in chewing, several missing teeth can seriously affect one’s eating habits. Dental bridges can be used to address this concern by filling the gap and restoring proper function. On the issue of aesthetics, it can bring back the symmetry of one’s smile and generally boost confidence.

To get a dental bridge, you must have healthy teeth on either side of the missing ones. Good oral hygiene habits and a healthy jawbone density can make you an ideal candidate for the procedure. If you have an oral health problem or diagnosis, you should tell your dental professional during your initial visit for them to evaluate the appropriateness of dental bridges.

If it is determined that a dental bridge may not be the ideal treatment for your case, your dentist may suggest these alternatives:

  • Partial dentures.These are ideal if one has lost multiple teeth at various places throughout the dental arch. If the cost of treatment is an issue, dentures serve as a cheaper alternative to a dental bridge. Lastly, there may be instances wherein the adjacent natural teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge.
  • complete-dentures. Patients who have already lost all of their upper or lower teeth may receive recommendations for a set of complete dentures, as there would be no anchor available to attach the bridge.
  • Dental implants Although the pricier alternative, dental implants are known to last longer than dental bridges and maintain a natural appearance for longer. If jawbone density and overall health allow, dental implants may be a suggested alternative to dental bridges.
Like most other cosmetic dental procedures, the placement of a dental bridge is generally painless due to the numbing agent or local anesthetic used during the installation. You can expect a few days of minor discomfort and sensitivity following the procedure.

Initial appointment: Site Preparation and Stand–in Bridge Placement

During the initial consultation, a local anesthetic is given to ensure your comfort and prevent you from feeling pain. Your dentist will examine your teeth and mouth for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. For a clearer view of the tooth structure, images are also taken via X-ray.

Once it has been determined that undergoing dental bridge installation is the ideal course of action to address your concerns, your dentist will then shape and file the abutment teeth. The abutments (anchoring teeth) of the bridge are prepared the same way as crowns are. To accomplish this, a significant portion of the tooth enamel and some of the tooth structure will need to be removed.

The final step of the initial visit includes taking an impression of the prepped mouth and submitting it to a dental laboratory for the manufacturing of a custom-made dental bridge. While a permanent bridge is being fabricated, the dentist will place a temporary bridge over the newly shaped teeth and gap. If your nearby teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge, dental implants can be placed in your jaw bone. This particular procedure is referred to as an implant-supported bridge.

Following Appointment: Permanent Bridge Installation

In the final step of dental bridge installation, dental cement is used to attach the permanent bridge to the surrounding healthy teeth. As another option, the dentist may surgically insert a dental implant into the jaw to secure the bridge. A proper evaluation must be done to determine if dental implants are appropriate for you.

Possible Risks and Disadvantages of Dental Bridges

  • Bridges may be compromised in the future if the abutment or anchoring teeth are damaged.
  • A faulty fit can cause pain to the surrounding gums and invite plaque and bacteria to build up inside the crown.
  • The bridge may also change the alignment of your teeth, affecting your bite.
  • The dental bridge may fail and break when the abutment teeth are not strong enough to support the bridge.

Many private health insurance plans cover major dental procedures, such as bridges. However, coverage will depend largely on the type of insurance plan you have.

Dental bridges can last between five and fifteen years, or even longer if properly maintained. You can keep your bridge in great condition for many years if you maintain good dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
The local anesthetic may cause your mouth, gums, and tongue to feel numb for a few hours following the dental bridge installation. Over the next few days or weeks, you may expect some soreness in the area. Some patients also report slight sensitivity to cold or heat.

Book An Appointment With Our Gosnells Dental Team Today

We're located in the Ashburton Village Shopping Centre next to the Ashburton Primary School. If you have questions about getting the dental care you need, call or book online today!

(08) 9490-8777 Or   Book Online