What is a Dental Bridge and how are they used?
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 your dentist. 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.
The dental bridge procedure is a tooth replacement option. The bridge covers the gap between the teeth using the healthy teeth present on either side, consequently restoring the function and appearance of the teeth. This article outlines what happens during a dental bridge installation.The first step in the dental bridge procedure is to determine the…
A dental crowns, also called a cap, forms the tooth's outer covering, protecting the tooth from decay and damage. A crown does not eliminate the need to visit your dentist in the future; you will still need to have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined regularly by your dentist. However, it can certainly help restore…
Patients who have damaged teeth might want to consider getting a dental crown. One of the benefits of a dental crown is that it can protect the tooth and prevent extraction from being necessary. There are many kinds of materials, such as metal or porcelain crowns. Patients can also look for more natural options, which…
When getting a dental crown, you might wonder how many visits you need to make before you can get the restoration. Usually, you can expect to have around two office visits to complete the process. There are several steps involved, so you might want to understand each one a bit better. Keep reading to learn…
It is helpful to have an in-depth understanding of teeth whitening before starting treatment. In general, teeth whitening performed in-office is a safe procedure with few risks, and knowing more about the process and what to expect can help you mentally and physically prepare for the procedure. There are certain questions that general dentists receive regularly.…
It can be hard to know exactly how to recover properly after tooth extraction. Long ago, there was a lot of pain involved afterward, however, modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of less invasive techniques, which results in less swelling and less pain. Nonetheless, there are still a few things to consider after tooth…