For many folks in the greater Charlotte area, Dr. David Ney, The Dental Guy, is fixing the common and distressing issue of tooth loss. Sometimes, patients think losing a tooth isn’t a big deal, but studies have shown that missing teeth directly correlate with overall health and quality of life. Think about it—missing teeth not only impact your smile but also significantly affect eating and speaking. Those daily activities affect your mood, physical health, and communication ability. Fortunately, dental bridges, especially implant bridges, offer a reliable solution for the problem of missing teeth.
Explaining Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are designed to fill the gaps in your smile with an artificial tooth. In a traditional dental bridge, the prosthetic tooth (pontic) is connected to dental crowns that fit onto the natural teeth adjacent to the gap. In this case, the neighboring teeth must be slightly shaved down to accommodate the crowns. If properly taken care of, a dental bridge can last 10-12 years or more.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dr. Ney specializes in various bridges, including implant bridges, to cater to different needs.
- Traditional bridge: This standard bridge involves a prosthetic tooth flanked by crowns on healthy teeth at either side of the gap.
- Cantilever bridge: If you only have one healthy tooth next to the gap, a Cantilever bridge will anchor to it with only one crown. This is similar to how a balcony attaches to a building on only one side.
- Maryland bridge: This conservative option, especially for front teeth, uses metal wings that we bond to the backs of adjacent teeth. A Maryland bridge cannot be used on your back teeth, as it can’t withstand the bite force needed there.
- Implant-supported bridge: This is the ideal option for patients missing multiple teeth or lacking healthy adjacent teeth. Dr. Ney uses mini dental implants to create a stable, long-lasting foundation to attach the bridge.
The Advantages of Implant Bridges
Opting for a dental bridge, particularly an implant bridge, brings multiple oral health and lifestyle benefits:
- Enhances appearance: Filling the gap in your smile restores your natural look, boosting confidence and social engagement.
- Strengthens bite: Bridges prevent teeth from shifting, maintaining the force and effectiveness of your biting power.
- Improves speech: A complete set of teeth is crucial for clear speech. Bridges help in articulating words correctly.
- Maintains oral health: Bridges reduce the risk of infection, decay, and gum disease by eliminating gaps where bacteria can thrive.
The Procedure for Implant Bridges
Receiving a traditional bridge typically involves a free consultation and two visits to the office. The first includes reshaping support teeth and taking impressions. A temporary bridge protects the area until the permanent one is ready. During the second visit, the custom-made bridge is fitted and cemented.
Mini dental implants, the slimmer and sleeker version of larger traditional implants, allow placing an implant bridge in a single visit without incisions or stitches.
- Consultation: Any implant procedure our practice performs begins with a free consultation. Dr. Ney can examine your teeth and take X-rays to determine if you’re a potential candidate for dental implants. Here, you can ask any questions you have and discuss financial options.
- Preparation: We’ll begin by applying local anesthetic to ensure a pain-free experience. Dr. Ney will use a stent to drill a small pilot hole in the gumline.
- Placement: Dr. Ney will carefully position and secure the mini implant directly into the jawbone. Because mini implants grip onto the jaw so effectively, we can often place the bridge immediately after the implants.
- Recovery: The recovery period for mini implants is short—most people report only mild discomfort and are feeling back to normal within 24-48 hours. With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits, your bridge can last over 15 years.
While placing mini implants takes only minutes, Dr. Ney takes pride in never rushing the process. He carefully and expertly places each implant, guaranteeing the best results for every patient.
How Much Do Implant Bridges Cost?
Understanding the financial part of any dental procedure is important. While dental insurance may cover part of the cost, our office partners with financing companies like CareCredit, LendingClub, and Ally Lending, offering flexible options to ensure affordability. While we could only give a final price at a complimentary consultation, remember that the mini dental implants that implant bridges use are cost-effective compared to other dental restorations.
Rediscover Your Smile with Implant Bridges
Tooth loss doesn’t have to be a permanent issue. If you’re in the Harrisburg, NC, area and struggling with gaps in your smile, consider the benefits of an implant bridge. Dr. Ney’s commitment to quality care ensures a solution tailored to your unique needs, restoring your smile, confidence, and quality of life.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation and explore how an implant bridge can revitalize your smile and oral health.
