Restore Your Smile With Dental Bridges
Missing even one tooth can put your oral health at risk for conditions like gum disease and additional tooth loss. However, for patients missing several adjacent teeth, traditional tooth loss treatments like dentures may not suffice. That’s why Dr. Gaeta offers state-of-the-art dental bridges.
At Frederic Gaeta, D.D.S, we’re dedicated to supporting your oral health. Read on to learn how dental bridges can help you get back to speaking, eating, and smiling with confidence.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges can help bridge the gap made by one or more missing teeth. Using dental crowns on either side of the missing teeth, they support fake teeth known as pontics. These teeth bridge the gap and restore your healthy smile.
Bridges are a more stable solution than dentures and don’t require any invasive procedure like dental implants. You’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful and functional smile again. Depending on your personalized treatment, you may be able to receive your bridge in as few as two visits to our Kailua-Kona office.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
In addition to providing a reliable solution to tooth loss, there are several advantages of dental bridges. Some of these benefits include:
- Restoring your ability to speak and eat with comfort
- Maintaining face shape
- Natural-looking appearance
- Preventing surrounding teeth from shifting out of place
- Decreasing wear and tear of surrounding teeth
When Are Dental Bridges Necessary?
Dr. Gaeta may recommend dental bridges to patients with:
- One or more missing teeth
- Severely damaged or decayed teeth
- Significant teeth gaps
The success of dental bridges depends on their foundation, which is why it’s essential to have good gum and oral health. Dr. Gaeta can determine if dental bridges will be right for you at your initial consultation.
The Dental Bridge Process
This simple procedure can typically be completed in as few as two appointments at our Kailua-Kona office. You’ll first have a consultation with Dr. Gaeta, where he’ll examine your oral health and determine if bridges will be an effective treatment for you.
After your consultation, Dr. Gaeta will administer a local anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain while he shapes your tooth. Your tooth must be shaped beforehand so your restoration will fit comfortably and naturally. He’ll then take detailed impressions of your teeth to send to a dental lab where they’ll create your customized bridge.
You’ll return to our Kailua-Kona office once we’ve received your restorations, which could take about two weeks. Dr. Gaeta will ensure the bridge fits correctly and comfortably before fixing it into place. You’re then ready to show off your restored smile!
Frequently Asked Questions
While dental bridges are durable, they’re not permanent solutions and may need to be replaced after 15 years. You must maintain good oral hygiene to ensure your bridge remains strong for years to come. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day along with rinsing between meals.
It’s also important to schedule biannual appointments to our Kailua-Kona office for regular cleanings and examinations. This will ensure your restoration and oral health remains in good condition.
If you wish to receive a dental bridge after a tooth extraction, you’ll need to wait for your mouth to fully heal to avoid any complications. This can take around five to six months but this healing process is essential for a successful bridge treatment.
The cost of your dental bridge depends on several factors. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider beforehand to learn what your plan will cover. Dr. Gaeta will also provide you with a cost estimate at your initial consultation.
You can also visit our financing page to learn more about our affordable payment plans. We suggest looking into LendingClub, a third-party financing service that can help patients pay for their treatments. They offer no-interest and low monthly payment plans to fit anyone’s budget.
Schedule an Appointment With Dr. Gaeta
Missing any number of teeth can make simple tasks like chewing and speaking difficult, and dental bridges may be the ideal solution. With this restoration, you’ll be able to speak, eat, and smile with confidence again. To schedule an appointment, call our Kailua-Kona office at (808) 329-3314. You can also fill out a contact form and a member of our team will be with you shortly. We look forward to helping you on your journey to a restored smile!