Dental Bridges
Dental Office in Encino, CA
Dental Bridges
DENTAL BRIDGES OVERVIEW
If one or several of your teeth have fallen out, it is not just a cosmetic problem — gaps in your teeth may cause your remaining teeth to move out of position. This may lead to unnecessary tension in your bite, pain when you chew, or even difficulty speaking. A bridge improves the health and appearance of your smile by filling in gaps using a false tooth that is supported by either crowns, dental implants, or both. At The Dental Office Encino board-certified dentists Drs. Alan and Yonatan Howard offer bridges custom made with high-quality materials to help give you back your smile. If you have one or more teeth missing from your smile, schedule a consultative appointment with Drs. Howard and Howard at their practice in in Encino, CA, to get more information about your treatment options with a dental bridge.
REVIEWS
BEST CANDIDATES FOR DENTAL BRIDGES
Missing teeth are not just an aesthetic problem — spaces in your smile may heavily impact the health of your mouth. Your mouth is balanced carefully and missing teeth may affect how well you can use it. With time, gaps may lead to the shifting of teeth, causing problems with your bite (overbite, underbite, crossbite) as well as gum or jawbone atrophy. To place a bridge, the surrounding teeth must be healthy enough to hold the restoration, with good density in the jawbone and gum tissue. Dr. Alan or Yonatan Howard will examine your gums and jaw at your consultation to help you choose the best type of bridge (cantilever, traditional, resin bonded, or Maryland bonded) and material (ceramic, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and metal).
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH DENTAL BRIDGES
Once your supporting teeth are filed down to prepare them, Dr. Howard will take digital images and dental impressions so your bridge can be created. A temporary bridge may be used while your custom one is crafted. In some cases, your bridge can be made at our office using the CEREC system to design and make your custom bridge while you wait. As soon as your dental bridge is ready, your mouth may be numbed with local anesthesia. Stronger sedation methods can be discussed for fears, anxieties, or trouble with a gag reflex to help keep you calm during the placement. Your custom bridge will be glued into its position or connected to implants, based on the method you and Dr. Howard decided on at your consult. Dr. Howard will adjust the position of your bridge so it is comfortable and stable.
FOLLOW-UP
After your bridge is in place, you should have a noticeable improvement in your teeth’s function and appearance. You may schedule a follow-up appointment at The Dental Office Encino to alter your bridge’s fit if it feels loose after it is placed. Dr. Howard or an assistant will teach you to care for your dental bridge, including the ways to keep it clean and what foods to avoid. It’s important to frequently clean your bridge and mouth because decay can develop under the bridge. If you properly care for it, your dental bridge may stay in place for several years. You need to schedule appointments at The Dental Office Encino to get an annual dental examination and cleaning twice a year. In your examination, Dr. Howard can assess the health and fit of your dental bridge to decide if it should be replaced or repaired.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Bridges and other dental restorations are generally covered, in part, by dental insurance companies. Our office will talk to your dental insurance company to figure out your out-of-pocket expenses. The Dental Office Encino offers several methods of payment, including financing options, that may be reviewed in your consult with Dr. Howard. He will help you choose the best bridge material and type to suit your budget and needs.
DENTAL BRIDGE RESTORATIONS
Even if you don’t mind the way your smile looks with a gap from a missing tooth, it may turn into a more expensive problem if you don’t get it fixed. Make an appointment with board-certified dentists Drs. Alan or Yonatan Howard to get more information about bridge restorations and the options that match your unique needs. The Dental Office Encino is pleased to offer custom dental bridges that can improve the health and appearance of your mouth. Contact our team in Encino, CA to make your consultation.
