Restore Your Complete Smile With Same-Day Bridges
Missing teeth can make it challenging to live your life to its fullest. If you’re missing several teeth that are adjacent to each other, dental bridges may be the ideal solution for your smile. At the dental offices of Dr. Sam A. Lavi, our skilled restorative dentist in Los Angeles & Studio City, CA, can customize and place your dental bridge in one visit thanks to our CEREC® milling unit.
Learn more about dental bridges and how your smile may benefit by reading our guide below.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are customized tooth restorations that bridge the large gaps left by missing teeth. Bridges can replace up to four adjacent teeth, using dental prosthetics known as pontics to restore your smile’s function and beauty. This restoration is anchored into place by two dental crowns inserted on either side to make for a sturdy solution to tooth loss.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
When you choose to restore your smile with dental bridges, you can enjoy several benefits:
- Durability & Longevity: With proper maintenance, dental bridge appliances can last up to 10 years or longer.
- Natural Appearance: Dr. Lavi will customize your bridges to match the shape, size, and natural shade of your surrounding teeth for a seamless blend.
- Short, Minimally Invasive Procedure: Depending on your dental needs and oral health, you can receive a custom-made dental bridge in just one appointment, thanks to our advanced CEREC technology.
- Preserves Facial Shape: Bridges help prevent teeth from shifting out of position, which is a common symptom of tooth loss. This also provides support for your face to maintain its appearance.
Candidacy for Dental Bridges
Our restorative dentist in Southern California may determine that dental bridges are best suited for your needs if you struggle with:
- Missing teeth
- Severely decayed teeth
- Irreparably damaged teeth
- Significant teeth gaps
Dental bridges have helped countless patients reclaim the confidence that comes with a complete smile. Discover how you can enjoy the benefits of smiling again by attending a consultation with Dr. Lavi to learn about the process itself.
The Dental Bridge Process
Like dental crowns, we can create and place customized dental bridge restorations in one appointment at our Los Angeles or Studio City dental office. During your consultation with Dr. Lavi, he’ll evaluate your oral health and review your medical history to decide whether this treatment is ideal for you. Once approved, he’ll then schedule your appointment.
He’ll begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Dr. Lavi will then shape and prepare the anchor teeth for dental crowns, which will help keep your dental bridge in place. After preparing your teeth, he’ll take an impression of them, which will be used as a blueprint to accurately craft your bridge and crowns.
Our CEREC milling unit will create beautiful porcelain restorations on the same day as your treatment preparation right here in our practice! Dr. Lavi will then place the bridge and crowns to restore your smile, ensuring a sturdy fit that’ll last for years to come. Once your smile is complete, you’ll be free to leave our office and show your stunning new grin to the world!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental bridges can last 10 years or more with proper care and maintenance. To get the most out of your tooth restoration, it’s ideal to practice a consistent oral hygiene regimen. This includes daily flossing, brushing twice a day, and rinsing with mouthwash in between meals. It’s also crucial to visit your dentist once every six months for routine dental checkups.
Receiving a dental bridge is a virtually painless procedure. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to numb the targeted area, meaning you won’t feel a thing while they work. While you may experience mild soreness once the numbness subsides, this discomfort is completely normal and should fade within a few days.
Dental bridges can consist of up to four false teeth known as pontics. Bridges are a less invasive and more cost-effective alternative to dental implants when replacing teeth. If you’re missing more than four teeth, your dentist may recommend a different restoration to better suit your dental needs.
Yes, insurance typically covers some, if not all, of the cost of a dental bridge. Contact your dental insurance carrier to learn where dental bridges fall within your plan’s benefits. You can also ask your dentist if their office offers in-house financing plans to make the treatment more budget-friendly.
