Dental Bridge in Sonora, CA
Yosemite National Park is home to many breathtaking views, including the Half Dome summit. This mountain peak is a beautiful example of the wonders of nature, and is viewable from the renowned Sentinel Bridge. Spanning the Merced River, the bridge connects both sides of the riverbank, offering visitors uninterrupted access to the meadows and trails beyond. Bridges, whether in nature or in dentistry, are all about connection. Just two hours away in Sonora, CA, we use dental bridges to close the gaps made by missing teeth and bring your smile back together. Anchored to natural teeth or dental implants, a dental bridge restores your smile’s function and appearance so that you can embrace life’s adventures with a complete, confident smile.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A traditional dental bridge is a reliable way to replace one to four missing teeth, allowing you to chew comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently.
Traditional bridges use the healthy teeth on either side of the gap for support. We place dental crowns on these teeth, which act as anchors. Between the crowns are false teeth, called pontics, that fill the space and replace your missing teeth. This structure conceals gaps and allows your replacement teeth to function similarly to natural ones.
Before we can place a dental bridge, we must first prepare your healthy teeth. Using specialized dental tools, we carefully shave down the enamel of your tooth to create space for the crowns to sit flush. Once we cement the bridge to the prepared teeth, it will remain firmly in place, allowing you to chew comfortably.
Since traditional bridges require altering healthy teeth and place added stress on them, they’re not always the preferred choice. However, they remain a durable and reliable solution for replacing missing teeth.
Exploring Dental Bridge Solutions
While traditional dental bridge solutions are effective, they may not be suitable for every situation. Depending on your particular needs and preferences, we may recommend a different type of bridge.
Cantilever Bridge
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, but it only uses one crown for support. We may use a cantilever bridge when you simply don’t have two healthy teeth available to support the restoration.
Maryland Bridge
Unlike a traditional or cantilever bridge, a Maryland bridge doesn’t use any crowns to replace missing teeth. Instead, we cement porcelain or metal “wings” to the back side of the teeth next to your gap. This conservative options allows us to secure the restoration without altering any teeth.
However, it’s important to note that Maryland bridges are best for front teeth, as the strong bite force in the back of the mouth can put too much strain on them.
Implant Bridge
Modern technology has revolutionized how we replace missing teeth. An implant-supported bridge provides a whole new level of stability that traditional bridges just can’t match. These bridges are anchored to titanium dental implants, providing a secure solution to tooth loss that’s designed to last.
We place dental implants into your jawbone, where they bond with the bone over time and become a permanent fixture in your mouth. Once the implants are stable, we connect your custom dental bridge to them. There’s no need to alter any remaining healthy teeth! And with our small-diameter mini dental implants, we can replace teeth anywhere in the mouth, from visible front teeth to molars that take on the biggest bite force.
Roundhouse Bridge
Although technically a bridge, a roundhouse bridge is a denture alternative that replaces an entire arch of teeth.
If you’re missing all the teeth in an arch or need remaining teeth extracted, a roundhouse bridge provides effective replacement with a sleek appearance. Unlike traditional dentures, roundhouse bridges don’t need the bulky pink denture base that slides around on your gums. Instead, the mini dental implants secure the roundhouse to your jawbone, creating a stable and seamless smile.
In Sonora, CA, we offer both semi-removable and non-removable roundhouse bridges. Semi-removable roundhouse bridges remain secure in your mouth at all times, until we remove them for your routine dental cleanings. Non-removable roundhouse bridges, however, are permanently cemented in place, giving you the same functionality as natural teeth!
Using Mini Implants To Support Your Dental Bridge
As a Mini Dental Implant Center of America, we often use mini dental implants to secure implant bridges. These innovative implants provide exceptional stability without the drawbacks of conventional implants.
Where conventional dental implants are larger in diameter and composed of multiple components, mini implants are smaller and feature a one-piece design! Due to their construction, Dr. Berger can use a minimally invasive procedure that facilitates faster healing and quicker results.
Their unique design and gentle placement technique allow for faster stabilization in the jawbone after placement. Because these small implants impact the bone far less, you can expect your mouth to heal quickly and the implants to stabilize in the bone faster. While you’ll need a few weeks to fully recover before we connect your final restoration, mini implants are stable enough to support a temporary bridge the same day that Dr. Berger places them. That means you can enjoy a complete smile in just one visit!
Restore Your Smile With a Dental Bridge Today!
Just as Sentinel Bridge brings visitors face-to-face with Yosemite’s natural beauty, a dental bridge can reconnect you with the comfort, confidence, and completeness of a healthy smile. Whether you need a traditional bridge, a minimally invasive mini implant solution, or a full-arch roundhouse bridge, our Sonora, CA, team is here to help you find the best path forward.
Don’t let missing teeth hold you back from life’s next adventure. Schedule a consultation today to begin your journey to a beautiful, complete smile!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of your dental bridge depends on several factors.
The type of bridge you choose is the most obvious factor, as each bridge has its own cost. For example, implant bridges are more expensive than traditional bridges due to the specialized techniques required and the high-quality materials used. However, mini dental implants are about half the cost of traditional implants, making the bridges we offer at Sonora Dentist a more affordable solution compared to many other options.
Additionally, the number of teeth that need to be replaced plays a significant role in overall treatment costs. Restoring all your teeth with a roundhouse bridge will naturally cost more than replacing a single missing tooth with a traditional bridge.
At your first visit, we will discuss your goals with you and help you determine which dental bridge is right for your smile and your budget!
Generally speaking, no, it’s not painful to get a dental bridge!
During the procedure, we use a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout the entire process. Afterward, you may experience some discomfort or sensitivity as you adjust to your new bridge. However, you can manage any soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers.
While implant bridges may cause a little more post-procedural discomfort, the gentle procedure we use to place mini dental implants facilitates faster healing and a more comfortable experience for our patients.
To keep your smile happy and healthy after getting a dental bridge, it’s essential to maintain a strong oral hygiene routine. Not only does your bridge need thorough cleaning twice a day, but your gums and remaining teeth must be properly cared for as well!
To clean under your dental bridge, we recommend using a floss threader or water flosser to access difficult-to-reach areas. A floss threader helps guide regular dental floss underneath your bridge, effectively clearing any food or debris that may get stuck underneath the prosthetic. A water flosser, on the other hand, shoots a stream of water under your bridge to clear food and debris. The gentle pressure cleans areas that regular floss may not reach.
When you opt for a dental bridge, we’ll provide thorough hygiene recommendations to help you confidently care for your new smile.
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