Dental Bridges
Why Replace Missing Teeth With a Dental Bridge?
The obvious reason to replace missing teeth is so you can smile confidently and eat your favorite foods without dancing around the gap in your teeth as you chew. But there are important dental reasons to restore a missing tooth, even if it is hidden from sight in the back of your mouth.
Bridges designed by our dentists at Henderson Dental in Carthage, MS, help protect your entire mouth from additional damage due to missing teeth. Problems caused by missing teeth:
When you have all your teeth, they prop each other up and stay in position. When a tooth is lost, nearby teeth can slowly slide into the gap at an unnatural angle, causing problems.
Teeth also help keep teeth in the opposite dental arch in place. If a tooth is lost, the opposing tooth can erupt and may expose the tooth root, which is vulnerable to cavities.
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As your teeth drift in response to the missing tooth, they may no longer meet harmoniously when you chew. This can cause new wear as well as cause bruxism or TMJ.
Ready to Replace Missing Teeth? Call for a Consultation
Our dentists at Henderson Dental in Carthage, MS, offer a number of solutions for missing teeth. You are bound to find a treatment that will let you rediscover your smile and enjoy the simple pleasures of a functional bite when you eat.
To take the first step, we recommend requesting a consultation at our Carthage practice so that Dr. David C. Henderson or Dr. Laura Katherine Henderson Jones can examine your mouth and make recommendations base on your goals and your budget. If dental bridges are not the right option, our dentists can recommend dental procedures that are better suited to your needs, such as partial dentures or dentures.
With all the options available to you, we'll make sure to cover which ones are appropriate in your case and give you the information you need to make a confident decision.
Hear From One of Our Patients 5-Star Review
"All of the staff were so pleasant and Dr Henderson and Dr Jones are by far the best dentists I have ever visited. I will use them from now on and I suggest you do as well!" Jay Weaver
What Is a Dental Bridge?
Much like its name, a dental bridge is a bridge of teeth that spans the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. Dental crowns at either end of the bridge support false teeth, called pontics, which stand in for the missing natural teeth. While in the past dental bridges required nearby teeth to support the pontics, modern dentistry gives today's dental patients new options:
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Traditional Dental Bridges
Traditional bridges are supported by natural teeth, which are reshaped so that dental crowns at either end of the bridge can fit over them. Because this puts added strain on the supporting teeth, traditional bridges are only recommended if these teeth are structurally sound. In addition, there is also a limit to how many teeth a traditional bridge can replace. Generally, only four teeth can be replaced using this method.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Bridges can also be supported by dental implants instead of dental crowns. An implant is a small post that is inserted into the jaw. The implants fuse with the bone and function as a tooth root. The implants attach to the bridge at both ends. Implant-supported bridges are ideal when you require several pontics since our dentists can extend the length of the bridge by adding more implants.
What Do Dental Bridges Cost?
The cost of a dental bridge will vary for a number of reasons.
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How many pontics do you nee? Are you missing a single tooth? Or do you need a longer bridge to restore your oral function?
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Will you need additional oral treatments to prepare for the bridge? This could include extractions or treating gum disease.
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Are you getting a traditional or implant-supported bridge? A bridge supported by dental implants costs more, but it offers additional health benefits.
In order to get a solid quote on what a dental bridge will cost you, please request a consultation. Our team can help you select the appropriate bridge, go over costs, and determine how much your dental insurance will cover.
To make dental bridges more affordable, our practice can work with you to arrange financing that better fits into your monthly budget.
Hear From Our Patients 5-Star Ratings
Jerri Thrasher
2018
Besides being very good dentists, they are very kind and patient. The whole staff is great !
View on GooglePercy Whalen
2016
The only word for the service is great.Thank you to the staff for over 25 years of great work.
View on GoogleInterested in Dental Implants?
Unlike traditional bridges, our implant-supported bridges feature artificial tooth roots that stimulate bone growth in the jaw. Without this stimulation, the jawbone can deteriorate. While treatment takes longer since you will need to wait for the implant to fuse with the bone, many patients appreciate the benefits dental implants offer.
