DentalBridges
About Dental Bridges in New Orleans, LA
Losing a natural tooth leads to several concerns for your smile, but it's often more than just an aesthetic concern. Missing teeth, when left unreplaced, can cause other teeth to shift out of place. This may result in increased tension in your jaw, discomfort when eating, or impaired speech. A dental bridge is a tooth replacement option that can improve the appearance and health of your mouth by filling gaps caused by the loss of a tooth. A bridge contains a false tooth (or teeth) and is supported by either your surrounding teeth, dental implants, or a combination of both. At MINT dentistry, our skilled team of dental professionals offers dental bridges made from the finest porcelain to restore your smile. If you're missing one or more teeth, please schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry in New Orleans, LA to get more information about tooth replacement with dental bridges. Dental bridges can help rejuvenate your health and add confidence to your smile.
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Who Is a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
People often feel that tooth loss is mostly a cosmetic issue for their smile. However, missing a tooth or teeth can have several consequences on your overall oral health. The fact is, your mouth is balanced carefully so a missing tooth can affect the health and function of your mouth. Over time, a gap can cause your teeth to move, creating bite problems, as well as atrophy in your jaw. To hold the bridge, your neighboring teeth need to be strong and surrounded by sufficient bone levels and healthy gum tissues. When multiple teeth are missing, two or more dental implants may be positioned to provide support for a bridge. Our MINT dentistry team will check your oral health during your exam and consultation and create a personalized treatment plan to help rejuvenate your smile and health.
How Is a Dental Bridge Placed?
When you arrive for your procedure, we'll get you seated in one of our plush treatment chairs and give you Beats headphones and MINT sunglasses to enjoy during the visit. The selected areas of your mouth will be numbed with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Sedation options may also be administered to address anxiety, fear, or a strong gag reflex if needed. Once you're ready, our MINT team will prepare the teeth designated to support the bridge. An impression of the prepared teeth will then be taken and sent to a dental lab where your dental bridge will be crafted. A temporary restoration can be placed while your custom bridge is completed. Once your restoration is sent back to our office, we'll schedule an appointment to place your bridge. The bridge will either be cemented in place to the adjacent teeth or attached to dental implants based on the method selected at your initial consultation. A member of our team will adjust your restoration to make sure it fits properly.
How Can I Care for My Bridge?
After your dental bridge has been placed, you should notice an improvement in your smile and overall oral function. If your bridge feels uncomfortable in the weeks following the placement, please contact our office so we can get you in for an adjustment. A member of our team will demonstrate how to maintain your bridge, including how to properly clean it. It's important to keep your mouth and bridge clean because plaque and cavities could still form underneath the restoration. With proper oral care, your restoration can last for several years. We recommend that you continue to schedule appointments at MINT dentistry in New Orleans, LA for routine examinations and twice-yearly dental cleanings. At your checkups, your dentist will evaluate the condition and wear of your restoration.
The MINT Commitment
Dental bridges might be covered in part under your dental insurance plan. One of our MINT dentistry team members will contact your insurance company to determine your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs. Our New Orleans, LA office accepts multiple payment methods, including medical financing, which can be explained during your first appointment. We'll help you decide on the ideal bridge type and material to fit both your budget and needs. We're committed to using the highest quality porcelain material to provide bridges that make your smile beautiful.
Beautiful Bridges
Replacing missing teeth is important for the function, health, and appearance of your smile. At MINT dentistry in New Orleans, LA, we are proud to offer natural-looking bridge solutions to help patients overcome tooth loss. If you have lost one or more teeth, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dentists to learn more about dental bridges and to explore the options that match your goals.