Are you missing one or multiple teeth? We can help you replace them with our high-quality dental bridges in San Francisco! We understand that you may feel self-conscious about the gaps in your smile, and these gaps may even affect your ability to pronounce certain words and chew effectively. There are many reasons to restore teeth, and our dentist in San Francisco can help you find the right way to do so, whether with dental bridges or another option. To arrange a FREE consultation, please call the DENTAL STUDIO SF at (415) 392-5025.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

The structure of a dental bridge is described by its name: The restoration bridges the gap left by the absent tooth. An artificial tooth called a pontic is situated in the gap. This pontic is supported on either side by dental crowns. These crowns fit over the teeth beside the gap.

It’s an effective way to replace teeth that have been used for quite some time. But it’s certainly not the only option. Many people opt for dental implants, which are titanium posts inserted in the boney ridge beneath your teeth. A crown is placed on top of the implant.

Oftentimes an implant-supported bridge is an option. This structure increases the durability, stability, and longevity of the bridge by anchoring it securely to the bone beneath your teeth. If you are unsure what would work best for you, our dentist in San Francisco will be happy to help you choose what works best for you!

Why You Should Replace Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth is not just about aesthetics; it’s essential for maintaining good oral health and overall well-being. Having gaps in your smile can lead to a myriad of complications, including bone loss, shifting of adjacent teeth, bite misalignment, and difficulty in eating or speaking. Bone loss occurs when the jawbone atrophies due to a lack of stimulation previously provided by the tooth root. This could alter your facial structure, causing you to appear older than you are.

Meanwhile, the drifting of surrounding teeth to fill the void left by a missing tooth can disrupt the harmony of your bite, possibly resulting in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Difficulty in eating and speaking affects your day-to-day life and overall confidence. Consequently, ignoring a missing tooth can spiral into broader health and self-esteem issues. Replacing missing teeth using dental implants, bridges, or dentures helps to prevent these complications, thereby preserving your oral health, maintaining your youthful appearance, and boosting your self-confidence. Proper tooth replacement, facilitated by a trusted dental professional, is a crucial investment in your holistic health.

When You Should Consider Getting A Dental Bridge

A dental bridge should be considered as a potential solution in the following situations:

Missing Teeth: The primary reason to get a dental bridge is to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. If you’re missing a single tooth or a few teeth next to each other, a bridge could be a suitable option.
Maintain Facial Structure: If the missing teeth are causing changes to your facial structure due to bone loss, a dental bridge can help maintain the shape of your face and prevent further degradation.
To Prevent Teeth Shifting: If your remaining teeth are shifting towards the gap left by the missing tooth, a dental bridge can help fill the gap and keep other teeth in their correct positions.
Difficulty Chewing or Speaking: Missing teeth can significantly impact your ability to chew food properly or speak clearly. A dental bridge can restore these functions.
Improve Smile Aesthetics: If you’re self-conscious about the gap in your smile due to missing teeth, a dental bridge can restore your confidence by enhancing the appearance of your smile.
A Desire for a Fixed Solution: If you want a tooth replacement solution that is fixed and doesn’t need to be removed like a denture, a dental bridge can be a good choice.

Benefits of Replacing Missing Teeth With a Dental Bridge

Dental bridges offer a multitude of benefits when used to replace missing teeth:

Restored Aesthetics: Dental bridges help reclaim your natural smile, increasing your self-confidence and reducing any social anxiety linked to missing teeth.
Improved Function: They restore the ability to chew and speak properly, making everyday activities like eating meals or engaging in conversations seamless.
Prevents Shifting of Teeth: A bridge fills in the gap left by a missing tooth, preventing surrounding teeth from drifting out of position, which could lead to bite issues and increased wear.
Preserves Facial Structure: By replacing missing teeth, dental bridges maintain the volume of your jawbone, preserving the natural shape of your face and combating premature aging effects.
Ease of Use: Unlike removable dentures, bridges are a fixed solution, providing a more stable and comfortable experience.
Cost-Effective: Compared to dental implants, bridges can often be a more cost-effective solution for replacing missing teeth.

Without tooth replacement, the open space allows other teeth to shift toward it. The result is crooked teeth and an uneven bite. This is just one of the issues. You may also feel embarrassed to smile, which can be bad for your mental and emotional health. A dental bridge lets you eliminate all these problems.

The Different Types of Dental Bridges

Yes, we offer various types of dental bridges in San Francisco for our patients, depending on your unique needs. We ensure a tailored approach to address different dental needs and circumstances. The most common include traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland bridges, and implant-supported bridges. Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic (artificial tooth) in between.

Cantilever bridges, used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth, are not very common anymore and are not recommended in the back of the mouth where they can put too much force on other teeth. Maryland bridges utilize a framework of metal or porcelain that is bonded onto the backs of the adjacent teeth. Lastly, implant-supported bridges use dental implants as opposed to crowns or frameworks. Typically, one implant is surgically placed for every missing tooth, and these implants hold the bridge in position.

The Procedure & Cost of Dental Bridges

The process itself is not complicated but involves more than one visit to our dental office in San Francisco. The first appointment is reserved for tooth preparation. The teeth receiving the crowns must be reduced in size so that the crowns will fit over them. You’ll be provided with a temporary restoration while the final version is fabricated at our lab. Once it’s ready, you return to our office to have it placed.

If your missing teeth are adjacent and you have enough healthy jawbone to support dental implants, you may be an ideal candidate for an implant-supported bridge. It is important to note that implant-supported bridges are a more complicated procedure and will take longer to complete. This is because the implant must first be placed and fused with your jaw to achieve a natural look and feel. Once the implant has been placed, the procedure to place the bridge can be completed.

The cost of dental bridges in San Francisco varies depending on your oral health and needs, so it’s important to arrange a consultation with our dentist to get an exact quote. When you visit us, we ask you to please bring along your insurance card. We will determine whether your policy provides any coverage for the bridge.

How Long Does A Dental Bridge Last?

The longevity of a dental bridge can significantly vary based on several factors, such as the type of bridge, the quality of the materials used, the patient’s oral hygiene, and the skill of the dental professional. However, with proper care and maintenance, dental bridges can generally last between 5 to 15 years and even longer in some cases.

It’s crucial for the longevity of your dental bridge to maintain good oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Additionally, habits like grinding your teeth, chewing on hard foods or objects, and using your teeth to open packages can potentially damage your dental bridge, reducing its lifespan. Therefore, along with maintaining good oral hygiene, it’s also important to avoid behaviors that could harm your dental bridge to ensure its longevity.

Alternatives to Dental Bridges

While dental bridges are an effective solution for missing teeth, there are alternative options available depending on a patient’s individual needs, preferences, and oral health condition. Two common alternatives to dental bridges are dentures and dental implants.

Dentures: These removable prosthetic devices can replace missing teeth and the surrounding tissues. They come in two types: complete and partial. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are an option when some natural teeth remain. Dentures can be a more affordable choice, and they don’t require surgery or alteration of the adjacent teeth, making them a suitable option for those who may not be candidates for surgery or have healthy adjacent teeth.
Dental Implants: Dental implants offer a long-lasting and durable solution for tooth loss. An implant consists of a titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, acting as an artificial tooth root. This post supports a crown, which is custom-made to match your natural teeth. Implants mimic the function and look of natural teeth closely and help preserve bone health by providing stimulation to the jawbone, similar to natural tooth roots. However, they require good overall health and sufficient bone density for successful implementation.

Each of these alternatives has its pros and cons. Therefore, a consultation with our dentist in San Francisco is crucial to determine the most suitable tooth replacement option for you.

We Offer Dental Bridges in San Francisco!

Rest assured in the expertise and proficiency of our highly skilled dental team. We won’t simply dictate a course of action. Instead, we believe in empowering you with a full understanding of all suitable tooth replacement options for which you’re a candidate. We’re here to guide you through a comprehensive decision-making process, assisting you in weighing the pros and cons of each option, understanding cost factors, navigating insurance matters, considering longevity, and factoring in your personal priorities. Our commitment is to ensure that you make an informed choice that best aligns with your unique dental health needs and lifestyle. To arrange your consultation to receive dental bridges in San Francisco, please call the DENTAL STUDIO SF team at (415) 392-5025.