Consequences of missing teeth include esthetic and oral health problems that may impact your quality of life. By providing dental fixed bridges in the greater Phoenix area, our dentists quickly and affordably replace missing molars, front teeth, or bicuspids without extensive dental treatments. Large gaps between teeth often allow surrounding teeth to “drift” from their proper position in your mouth, resulting in crooked, crowded, or sideways sitting teeth. In addition, speech may be altered if missing teeth are located near or at the front of the mouth.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are permanent fixtures containing natural-looking teeth that are held in place by your adjoining teeth. Most patients are good candidates for the conventional fixed dental bridge or a bridge involving minor modifications of teeth existing on either side of the empty socket. However, the teeth used to support the bridge need to be healthy and firmly implanted in equally healthy gums. One of our dentists experienced with fixed bridges in the greater Phoenix area will perform a thorough dental examination prior to recommending a bridge type addressing your unique needs.
When back molars are missing, our dentist may install a cantilever bridge that only needs one tooth to which the bridge is permanently affixed. Missing front teeth are sometimes replaced with “Maryland” or resin-bonded bridges that demand minimal modification of existing teeth. Maryland bridges depend on resin material to hold the bridge in place since front teeth are not placed under the level of chewing stress to which molars are subjected.
What Types of Bridges Can I Get at Your Arizona Offices?
A bridge is similar to a crown in that it restores missing tooth structure. The major difference is that a bridge restores one or more missing or damaged teeth between existing teeth. There are several types of dental bridges, and our dentists are prepared to discuss the best option to fit your individual needs.
- The most popular type of bridge is the traditional bridge, which is constructed from a metal base that has porcelain layered on top of it to give it a natural-looking look.
- This type of bridge consists of two crowns that are supported by teeth and are on both sides of a missing tooth. An artificial tooth is attached to the anchor teeth creating a bridge. Filling the gap can be done by one or more teeth.
Educational Video:
Our Dental Office Locations
Same and Next Day New Patient Appointments Available!
Glendale
8519 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302, United States
Cave Creek
28255 N Tatum Blvd Suite 4, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, United States
Phoenix
1820 W Thunderbird Rd suite 1, Phoenix, AZ 85023, United States
Why to Come to Our Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area Dentist for Dental Bridges
AZ Family Dental has the experience and expertise you need when looking for the best dental care. We excel at providing preventive care and addressing problems that develop from missing teeth. Our ability to recognize small issues before they grow into big ones sets us apart from other Phoenix-area dental offices.
We also embrace technology, which helps us treat our patients more efficiently and effectively. Our state-of-the-art equipment can cut down on appointment times and lower the number of trips you need to make to our office for treatment. We stay ahead of developing trends and employ them to assist our patients. Time is of a premium for so many of our patients. They like to get things done as quickly as possible so that they can get back to their busy days.
What else makes AZ Family Dental the best choice to handle your dental bridges? We offer:
- Individualized care: We examine each patient to determine what’s best for their case. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. You may be a great candidate for dental bridges while we recommend someone else with a similar issue try a dental implant.
- Exceptional staff: Our staff truly cares about you and your treatment. We’ve been seeing many of our patients for years, and we forge bonds that feel more like family. We greatly appreciate you entrusting your dental care to us.
- Outstanding history of care: Our dental practice has been a fixture in the greater Phoenix, AZ community for more than four decades, which tells you a lot about our reliability. We care about this area and providing the best service to everyone in it. We’ve developed a reputation based on the quality of our services, and we’re very proud of that.
When you need porcelain dental bridges, you can count on us to set you up with an appointment quickly and explain the procedure thoroughly. We value your trust in us.
Take Proper Care of Your Dental Bridges
After receiving dental bridges, our patients receive home care instructions on how to best care for their new dental work. Remember regular dental visits combined with good eating habits and oral hygiene help lengthen the life of your bridge. They can last for years when you follow our directions and continue to brush and floss regularly.
Learn More About Porcelain Dental Bridges
The longer you put off a dental bridge procedure, the greater your chance of developing complications, such as temporomandibular joint disorder or even gum disease. When you address a missing tooth proactively, you can preserve the integrity of your bite and decrease the chances of drifting teeth, which could lead to the need for further dental procedures.
Talk to us to learn all the options you have for dental bridges and other procedures to replace missing teeth. Call us or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fixed Bridges
A traditional fixed bridge is the most common type of bridge and works to replace your missing teeth that have healthy teeth adjacent to them. The method uses two crowns on the adjacent teeth to keep the bridge in place.
A fixed bridge should last around 5 to 15 years on average. The lifespan can vary depending on how well you maintain and practice healthy oral hygiene. In some cases, a fixed bridge may last up to 20 to 30 years – which is why some dentists refer to fixed bridges as “permanent bridges.”
Our dentists will typically prefer fixed bridges to dentures because of their many advantages. Bridges can last up to 15 years before needing a replacement, while dentures may need to be replaced in as little as five years. Likewise, fixed bridges are the best choice if you’re missing multiple teeth in a row.
Misplaced bridges can result in decay and a build-up of plaque and bacteria beneath the crowns. You also must have healthy teeth to be a good candidate for dental bridges. Otherwise, your teeth may not be able to support the bridge and cause misalignment.
Like most dental procedures, one of our dentists will use a local anesthetic to numb the area during the bridge installation. After the process, you may feel sore as the anesthetic wears off and your mouth adjusts to the bridge.