Is Dental Bridges A Beneficial Procedure In Restoring Teeth?

A dental bridge permanently replaces a missing tooth/tooth, restoring its normal functioning. Bridges are customized to mimic the shape, size, and color of the natural teeth and are made specifically for each patient.

In some severe cases, a patient can get multiple bridges. In restorative dentistry, this is called full mouth rehabilitation. The cosmetic dentist near you can instead recommend dentures if you have many missing teeth.

Dentures are mainly porcelain made, and metal frameworks are used for support. Before placement of the dental bridge, your dentist may need to remove some enamel on the abutment teeth on both sides of the missing tooth gap. The amount of tooth enamel removed is usually similar for both front and back teeth.

Who Needs a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges at the Creative Dentistry of Covington are used on people who do not feel comfortable about their smile or need a restoration of the normal teeth function after a tooth loss.

If you lose one or more teeth, it can affect your bite, leading to difficulty or pain when eating. By replacing these teeth, you get rid of these complications. You may have a tooth bridge for any of the following reasons.

• If you have a severely decayed tooth that falls out or removed by a dentist
• If you had an accident that severely damages a tooth beyond possible repair
• Profound decay or pulp infection that cannot be treated using a filling or root canal treatment.

Types of Dental Bridges

Dentists use the following types of dental bridges:

• Traditional Bridge. This is the bridge type that involves two tooth crowns called abutment teeth. They anchor a fake tooth in the middle, also called a pontic. It’s the most popular type of dental bridge and can be fixed or removable.
• Cantilever Bridge. Only one tooth crown is needed for this type of bridge. It’s a less sensitive procedure for tooth replacement and is a good option for people who don’t want their healthy teeth to get affected. However, the single support can raise the chances of tooth damage and even decay if it gets loose.
• Maryland Bridge. In contrast to cantilever and traditional bridges, Maryland bridges involve a less invasive procedure, and they are generally more conservative. They can be supported using metal or porcelain attached to the jaw bone line of the teeth on both sides of the gap. They preserve healthy teeth during the process but are generally less secure.
• Implant-Supported Bridges. These use dental bridges as supports. After a set of bridge implants are placed in the jaw bone, a bridge consisting of several crowns, or one crown for a single tooth, is cemented on top of the implant.

Dental Bridges Stages

There are two appointments for the dental bridge procedure. The first appointment involves the preparation of the abutment teeth/tooth. The process involves recontouring by removing parts of the enamel to create space for the dental crown placement.

Next, they make tooth impressions, which serve as models for making the bridge: the pontic and abutment crowns. These are manufactured from the dental lab. Your dentist then makes temporary bridges and places them over the prepared teeth. This protects them from possible damage before placing the original tooth bridge.

In the second visit, your dentist removes the temporary crown and checks the new porcelain bride for faults in fit, shape, and color shade. You might need multiple visits to check if the bridge has the best fit and state of the framework and bite.

For fixed bridges, the dentist might temporarily cement it for a few weeks to ensure the fit is perfect. They then permanently cement it later.

What is the Life Span of Dental Bridges?

If well placed, dental bridges will last up to 15 years, and in some cases, longer. It’s common for dental bridges to last for more than ten years if they maintain good oral hygiene.

Will I Have Difficulty Eating?

Replacing a missing tooth using a dental bridge makes it easier to chew food. However, you have to stick to soft food diets until you get used to using your new dental bridge.

Dental Bridge Care

How well you follow good oral hygiene and dental habits will determine the success of the bridge. Brush twice daily and floss at least once while using antiseptic mouth rinses to keep out decay and gum infections. It’s also essential to adopt a well-balanced daily budget.