Life Smiles Dental Care is OPEN

Life Smiles Dental Care is OPEN to help you with your routine care. In response to the spread of COVID-19, to keep our communities safe we are taking numerous precautions. We are here to help you at Life Smiles Dental Care with all your dental needs. You may either call (602) 786-5484 or contact us through Virtual Consultation to book an appointment.

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Team Life Smiles Dental

We now offer Telehealth. Book a Virtual Consultation

New Patients: (602) 786-5484

Existing Patients: (602) 404-7266

4611 E Shea Blvd, Ste 250
Phoenix , AZ 85028 | Direction

Bridges

THE PROCEDURE: A dental bridge is an option to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge is secured to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth and is cemented into placed, i.e. not removable like a partial denture. The bridge is very strong and can be chewed on like natural teeth. Dental bridges often last many years (often much longer than a decade) and require little additional maintenance than natural teeth.

THE COST: Dental bridges at Life Smiles Dental Care are an excellent value. Depending on your individual insurance plan, 50%+ of the cost can be covered by dental insurance.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME INVOLVED: Two appointments are needed. If significant changes are made to your smile or bite, a few additional short appointments may be needed. Usually the initial appointment may last 90-120 minutes and the subsequent visits are often only 30-45 minutes.

EXPECTED LIFETIME: Dental bridges often last many years (often much longer than a decade) and require little additional maintenance than natural teeth. At Life Smiles Dental Care, we warranty bridges against chipping, cavities, or leakage for five years so long as you maintain your preventative hygiene visits.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS: Another option to replace a missing tooth or teeth is by using dental implants. Below are the advantages and disadvantages to choosing a bridge over an implant:

Advantage to Dental Bridges:

  • Dental insurance often pays for a portion (50%+) of the cost of the bridge. In many cases, dental implants are not covered by dental insurance plans.
  • A bridge can be completed in as little as two visits and a total treatment time of two weeks.
  • No oral surgery is required. (However, dental implant surgery involves a very small site and an easy recovery)
  • If the bone at the missing tooth space has atrophied and shrunk, it is often more difficult to place a dental implant. Even if the bone at the empty space is severely atrophied, a dental bridge will still work well.

Disadvantages to Dental Bridges:

  • The teeth on either side of the missing tooth have to receive dental crowns. If the teeth on either side of the space are in great condition, it may be advisable to pursue a dental implant to avoid unnecessary drilling/reshaping of these teeth.
  • Because the bridge links the supporting teeth together to be able to span the gap, it cannot be flossed like normal teeth. A brush or a floss threader are needed to clean underneath the missing tooth where the bridge spans the gap.

EXAMPLE #1:

Bridges Before After 01

Dr. Paul Nielson, DDS, MAGD earned a zoology degree from Brigham Young University before completing dental studies at University of Washington, Seattle. He has practiced dentistry for over a decade, and has followed continuing education to exceed the state’s licensing requirements. He’s a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and holds membership in many professional associations. He’s especially interested in implant, cosmetic and sedation dentistry; and full mouth rehabilitation.
Dr. Timothy Schmidt, DMD, FAGD studied in Utah and Oregon, before serving at University of Washington School of Dentistry as an affiliate instructor. Then he returned to Arizona to serve his local community. As a member of several prestigious dental organizations, he aims to provide comfortable treatments delivering natural-looking and long-lasting results. He aims to raise dental healthcare standards through ongoing education, new technologies and by listening to patients’ concerns.
Dr. Jared Bishop earned his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University in Utah, after which he completed his dental school training at Midwestern University in Glendale. Having completed a 1 year residency, Dr. Bishop was also honored to practice dentistry in the U.S. Army for 5 years. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Arizona Dental Association, Dr. Bishop keeps up with current dental technology, techniques, and materials to provide his patients with the highest standard of care.


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