What is a Dental Bridge? / What are Dental Bridges for?
If you feel afraid to smile in public like you normally do because of a gap in your teeth, you are one of the millions of people that would benefit from a dental bridge. A gap in your teeth does a lot more than just take away your smile. It can also lead to problems chewing, talking, and temporomandibular joint disorder.
These are dental implants that bridge the gap between missing teeth. A bridge consists of two crowns on both sides of the gap (called abutment teeth), and a false tooth or teeth as needed to fill the gap. These false teeth – also known as pontics – and typically consist of porcelain, gold, or alloys.
Traditional bridges involve creating crowns for the teeth or implants on either side of the gap, then bridging the gap with a pontic. While cantilever bridges mainly apply when there are only teeth on one side of the gap, usually at the back of the mouth. Maryland-bonded bridges involve attaching a resin-bonded bridge to the teeth on opposite sides of the gap, via wings on the bridge.
Well, there's a long list of reasons. For starters, your teeth are designed to work together, so when one goes missing, the other teeth will drift towards the hole created in an attempt to fill the hole. That includes the teeth on the opposite jaw as well. In addition, the jawbone might begin to shrink when a tooth is missing, and that affects a lot more than your smile or ability to chew or speak properly.
A shrunken jawbone will affect the way the face looks, making one appear older. Teeth that drift due to a missing tooth/teeth are also harder to clean, increasing the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Once you decide to take care of the gap in your teeth, it is time to consult a dentist. Getting a dental bridge is not something you are going to do at home in your bathroom. It requires the expertise of a dentist, and it also requires at least two visits.
The first thing your dentist will do is make an impression of the tooth/teeth closest to the gap. We will send the impression over to a lab to create the dental bridge. It is not uncommon for dentists to put in a temporary bridge to protect your teeth while you wait for the permanent bridge and crowns. That can take anywhere from several days to a few weeks.
When your permanent bridge is ready, you will be notified by Family Choice Dental. Your permanent bridge and crowns will be attached during your next visit.
That is all there is to getting a dental bridge to close a gap in your teeth. There is little to no pain or discomfort with this procedure, but it will keep your teeth and face looking as healthy as possible.
Think you might need a dental bridge? Read on to learn more about this restoration. According to the National Institute of Craniofacial and Dental Research, adults aged 20–64 have an average of three decayed or missing teeth. A dental bridge is among the most important restorative dentistry procedures, helping to restore optimal dental health and…
A dental bridge, sometimes described as fixed partial dentures, is a type of dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are made of porcelain or other materials. The tooth or teeth on either side of the gap are prepared to receive crowns and false teeth (known as pontics). The false teeth…
Along with other treatments, a dental bridge is a common way to improve a smile and help you feel better about your appearance. This procedure can replace missing teeth and close embarrassing gaps in your mouth. If you undergo this process, you can have less anxiety in social situations and want to open your mouth…
Dental bridges are effective at replacing missing teeth. However, having a bridge does not mean that you can neglect your oral hygiene. On the contrary, with a bridge, dental hygiene becomes even more important than before. However, you may have to learn new techniques for cleaning your dental bridge, as well as avoid some behaviors…