Bridges

A dental bridge is a way to replace a tooth by bonding it to surrounding teeth. When creating a dental bridge, the supporting teeth often need to be reshaped and fitted with crowns in order to fill the gap in your mouth.

If you’re missing teeth, a dental bridge can help prevent your bite from changing, improve the sound of your speech, aesthetics and chewing.

Non-invasive procedure

If you don’t want to undergo a full tooth replacement by an implant or your mouth cannot support a tooth implant because of a deficiency in bone, a dental bridge may be for you.

Improve your smile

When you lose teeth, your face can change as it loses its support. A dental bridge maintains your natural smile and the shape of your face.

Making eating easier

Many people struggle to chew, eat, and digest food properly with missing teeth. Bridges are designed to withstand typical bites, making it easy to eat food without any issues.

Improve your speech

It can be hard to project confidence with missing teeth because it affects both how you talk and how you look. A dental bridge can give you the ability to speak with confidence and a natural appearance.

Increase your comfort

There are no dentures or loose appliances to worry about – and you don’t have to remove and replace a dental bridge at the end of each night and the beginning of each morning.

Convenience

Dentures can be tedious, messy, and embarrassing. A dental bridge never needs to be removed, nor can you lose them.

Improved oral health

A dental bridge maintains and distributes your bite. If compared to dentures, bridges are healthier as they retain less plaque. They have a lower risk of decay and periodontal disease.

Conventional

Two crowns are attached to the teeth or implants on the sides of your missing tooth. We then fill the gap between these teeth with a false tooth also called pontic.

Your neighbouring teeth or implants will need to be shaped to prepare them for the crowns or caps that must be fixed onto them.

Maryland Bridge

This procedure attaches metal wings to the back of your healthy teeth in order to fill the space between them with a false tooth. These wings aren’t visible, and this procedure is significantly less invasive than conventional bridges. Maryland bridges are often used as a healthy way of replacing teeth when implants are not possible for the following reasons:

1. The person is growing and he/she is waiting until the age of 21 before implant can be placed.
2. The bone or the space between the teeth is not ideal.

Cantilevered Bridge

If only one healthy tooth is available to support a false tooth, this dental bridge is attached to the tooth in order to support the bridge. It is often used to replace a small tooth whilst using a large one.

Dental bridges are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, gold, or zirconia.

We select a material based on your budget, what type of bridge is necessary, and where in the mouth your tooth is missing. During your initial visit, you will learn all about the options and possibilities for your situation.

Before moving forward with a dental bridge, it’s crucial to perform a full oral check-up. This determines both exactly what you will need and if your remaining teeth can serve as support for the bridge. If a dental bridge is not an option, we may recommend dental implants or other options.

If you are missing one or more teeth or don’t have enough bone to support a dental implant, a dental bridge can be a permanent, minimally-invasive and somewhat fast replacement solution.

If the teeth surrounding your missing tooth are sound, a dental bridge may be perfect for you, and if those teeth aren’t in perfect condition, it may be possible to build them up to become strong enough to support a dental bridge. Often, the support teeth can benefit from a crown because they already heavily filled and can break at any time.

Unlike other tooth replacement procedures, if a fixed dental bridge is a good solution for you, you can get your bridge within weeks.

Preparing Your Existing Teeth

If your supporting teeth are healthy enough to support the bridge, we will get your teeth ready for crowns in the first appointment. If they aren’t yet healthy enough, your decaying teeth will be built up until they’re healthy enough to support the bridge.

Once your mouth is ready, we will take a mold of your teeth in order to create the bridge, then fit your mouth with a temporary bridge while the permanent one is prepared.

Cementing Your Fixed Bridge in Place

Finally, your new bridge is cemented into your mouth, and your permanent tooth replacement is complete.

The dental bridge procedure has the potential to be painful and uncomfortable. Before the procedure begins, Dr. Azizi will talk to you about pain relief options. The bridge procedure itself is typically performed using local anaesthetic, so you will not experience pain while your teeth are being prepared to support the bridge.

Once the permanent bridge has been fitted, your teeth should be working normally within a few days. You should brush and floss each day in order to stop bacteria from collecting, especially around the bridge and in the area between the gum tissue and the bridge.

The cost is calculated based on the number of the teeth/units to be replaced. A three-units bridge replaces one missing tooth.

Dr. Azizi is a specialist and an expert in crowns and bridges and offers competitive pricing which can range from $4500 to $4800.

What Determines How Much They Cost?

Much like a crown or an implant, the cost of a bridge varies depending on how many teeth are involved and which materials you choose to use.  Also there is the cost of restoring the supporting teeth before placing the crown.

For a more accurate estimate, you will need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Azizi about your case and your best possible treatment options. 

Will My Insurance Cover It?

Many insurers provide coverage for some restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Vue Dental works with most major providers to maximise coverage and benefits. Contact your health fund directly to determine if it includes dental bridges.

Is a Payment Plan Available?

We understand that dental bridges can be expensive. That’s why Vue Dental offers payment plans based on your individual situation and circumstances. Click here to find out more about financing options.