Dental bridges are a fantastic solution to missing teeth. Not only do they help to restore your bright smile and appearance, but they can also benefit your oral health. As your trusted dentist at Houlik Family Dentistry, we want to provide you with the best possible care, ensuring you understand the various options available.
Dental bridges are a popular dental treatment option for people with one or more missing teeth. We custom design and fit them to your mouth perfectly to bridge the gap between your teeth so you can feel confident in your smile once again. We can make dental bridges with various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges can last up to ten years or more if cared for properly, so it’s important to schedule regular checkups with our team to ensure everything is fine.
We anchor them to your remaining teeth using dental crowns, making them a permanent solution to tooth loss. Whether you lost a tooth due to decay, gum disease, or injury, a dental bridge can restore the function and appearance of your smile and help you maintain better oral health overall.
So, whether you’re due for a routine cleaning or need a more extensive procedure such as a dental bridge, trust the team at Houlik Family Dentistry to keep your teeth and gums in top shape. Here are some benefits of dental bridges and how they can impact your daily life.
Improved Oral Health:
Dental bridges can drastically help with the hygiene of your mouth. When you are missing teeth, it can create spaces for bacteria to grow and cause gum disease and tooth decay. With dental bridges, we can fill these spaces, preventing bacteria build-up. In addition, the newly installed bridge also acts as a support structure for surrounding teeth, keeping them upright and preventing unwanted movements.
Improved Speech:
Missing teeth can create difficulties with speech and pronunciation. Dental bridges can help by effectively filling in the gaps or preventing misalignments in your teeth. A well-crafted bridge provides support and allows you to speak more clearly, giving you more confidence in your daily life.
Restored Confidence:
Missing teeth can also significantly impact your self-esteem. Dental bridges can restore your smile, providing newfound confidence, especially in social or work situations. A dental bridge can help you feel like yourself again by giving you a complete smile.
Maintain Jaw Structure:
Missing teeth can also lead to sunken cheeks, giving the face a prematurely aged appearance. Dental bridges fill the gaps and help maintain your jaw’s bone structure. This gives your face a more youthful look and prevents any future bone loss that can cause your face to collapse and affect speech and chewing.
Comfortable and Long-Lasting:
Modern bridges are crafted for comfort and will not affect your eating ability. But how long can you expect your dental bridge to last? The answer is not definitive, as it can depend on several factors, such as materials used, oral hygiene, and overall health. However, dental bridges can last up to ten years or longer with proper maintenance and care. This means you can enjoy your new smile for a significant amount of time before needing a replacement. So, follow our advice on how to care for your dental bridge, and you’ll be able to cherish it for years to come.
Easy Maintenance:
Caring for your dental bridge is easy and crucial to keeping your mouth looking and feeling healthy. First and foremost, remember to brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth and your bridge, using light pressure to avoid damaging your dental work. Flossing is also imperative, and you should do it once a day to remove any food particles or bacteria that may have accumulated between your teeth and under your bridge. Rinsing with mouthwash can also help keep your mouth healthy and fresh.
Affordable:
There is no set price for dental bridges, as the cost can vary depending on various factors, such as the materials used and the complexity of your treatment. Dental bridges can be more affordable than alternative restorative dentistry solutions, such as dental implants. To get a good cost estimate, schedule a consultation with our team. With the cost information, you can make an informed decision about your dental health with the confidence that comes from knowing what to expect.
What Is the Process?
Getting dental bridges is a simple and effective treatment that can improve your oral health and overall appearance. The process involves consultation, teeth preparation, impressions, lab work, fitting and adjustment, maintenance, and follow-up.
If you’re considering getting dental bridges, contact the professionals at Houlik Family Dentistry for a comprehensive consultation and treatment plan that meets your unique dental needs. Your beautiful, restored smile is just a phone call away.
Consultation:
The first step to getting dental bridges is a consultation with Dr. Houlik and his team. During this consultation, we will examine your teeth and gums, take X-rays, and assess your oral health. Based on these assessments, he will determine if dental bridges are your proper treatment.
Teeth Preparation:
Teeth preparation is The next step in getting dental bridges. Our team will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth/teeth by removing a layer of enamel. We do this to make room for the dental bridge. If the teeth we are prepping have large fillings and are unstable, they require more robust foundational work, such as dental crowns.
Impressions and Lab Work:
After we prep your teeth, we will take detailed impressions. The dental lab will use these impressions to create your custom dental bridge. We send the impressions to the lab, where the technicians craft your dental bridge in a matter of weeks. We will provide a temporary dental bridge to protect your prepared teeth.
Fitting and Adjustment:
After the dental bridge is ready, you will return to the dentist for fitting and adjustment. We will place the dental bridge in your mouth and check for proper fit, appearance, and function. The dental bridge may need several adjustments to get the proper shape and size necessary to fit and match your bite.
Maintenance and Follow-up:
After getting your dental bridge, we recommend a regular dental checkup schedule and maintenance plan. Good oral hygiene practices at home, including brushing teeth twice daily, flossing, and using mouthwash, are vital to extending the lifespan of your dental bridge. We recommend regular dental checkups every six to twelve months to help ensure we can make any adjustments.
Dental Bridges in Wichita
Keeping your smile healthy and vibrant is essential to your overall health and confidence. At Houlik Family Dentistry, we offer various quality dental services in Wichita, Kansas, to help you achieve optimal oral health, including preventative care, cosmetic procedures, and implant dentistry. We provide personalized care and use the latest dental technology to ensure every patient who walks through our doors leaves with a happy and healthy smile.
A dental bridge is a popular restorative dental treatment designed to replace missing teeth. If you have one or more missing teeth, getting dental bridges from us may be the solution. Dental bridges offer a long-lasting, comfortable solution to missing teeth but also have additional benefits for oral health, speech, and self-esteem.
If you are interested in dental bridge restoration or other dental care services, please contact our office to schedule an appointment today with Dr. Joseph Houlik. We are always here to keep your smile healthy and bright.
