What Is a Dental Bridge?
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 more. Our dentist has the knowledge and training to provide effective treatment. Before you get a dental bridge, it is important to understand how this process works and whether it is right for your oral health.
Brief overview
When a person thinks of a bridge, they may think of a pathway over water or a gorge, allowing people to cross over without being in danger. This walkway connects two points over a space. The dental version works similarly, only in a person's mouth. This treatment bridges the distance between natural teeth using two or more crowns on either side of the gap of teeth. It uses existing teeth — abutment teeth — as an anchor for false teeth when a patient has lost them or when a dentist has to pull them out. Durable artificial teeth are usually made of porcelain, though some dentists use gold, alloys, or a combination of two or more materials.
Who needs a bridge?
This intervention is helpful for patients who have one or more missing teeth. This treatment can be a smart option if the person does not want implants or partial dentures. Some patients lose teeth due to poor oral habits, such as a lack of brushing or flossing. Extraction may be the only course when tooth decay is so severe that the dentist cannot salvage the tooth. Also, hard blows can knock out teeth. People who play sports or who suffer an accident commonly lose their teeth this way.
Types of dental bridges
There are three main types of dental bridges: traditional, cantilever, and Maryland-bonded bridges.
- Traditional bridges: Traditional bridges are made of porcelain or ceramic material fused with metal. The general dentist makes a crown for the tooth on either side of the missing tooth. This is the most common type of bridge
- Cantilever bridges: These bridges are used on one adjacent side of the missing tooth or teeth. Cantilever bridges are not common, and dentists do not recommend placing them in the back of the patient's mouth. By doing so, they can put too much pressure on other teeth and cause further damage
- Maryland bonded bridges: Maryland bonded bridges, also known as resin-bonded bridges, are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain frame. Metal or porcelain wings are usually placed on only one side of the bridge bonded to the patient's existing teeth or implants
There is a fourth type of dental bridge known as an implant-supported bridge. These bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but instead of being cemented to teeth, they are held in place by implants. Nevertheless, the type of dental bridge a patient receives depends on their overall oral health and their individual needs to fi a gap between their teeth.
The process
The dentist will begin by examining the mouth and taking X-rays. Crowns will go over the existing teeth, so the dentist will first shave down the teeth so the cap will fit. After cementing the cap, the dentist will take an impression so a lab technician can construct the false teeth. Next, the patient will get a temporary item until the permanent one is available. The dentist will check the temporary bridge at the next appointment to ensure it fits properly. The dentist will remove the temporary device if everything looks and feels right. The dentist will then fix the permanent one in place and make the required adjustments to make the patient comfortable.
Benefits of a bridge
This apparatus allows the patient to speak and eat normally once again. Bridges also restore a patient's smile and improve their self-confidence. The device helps correctly distribute bite force and maintains the shape of the person's face. A bridge can keep natural teeth in the right position. The bridge can be effective for up to 15 years with proper maintenance.
Make an appointment
Our dentist strives to improve patients' smiles and help them feel more at ease in public and in daily life. Consider the advantages of this treatment and the benefits it can provide. It would be best if you did not have to live with missing teeth anymore. Call our office today to make an appointment to discuss your desire to repair your dental issues.
Request an appointment here: https://bellairedentalsuite.com or call Bellaire Dental Suite at (832) 266-0665 for an appointment in our Bellaire office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Bridges in Bellaire, TX.
Related Posts
Dental crowns, also known as dental caps, are options that restore the strength, form, and size of teeth by covering them. Crowns can be placed the same day, or the dentist can complete the procedure over multiple appointments. If your dentist has suggested that you should get a dental crown, here are few helpful hints…
Dental crowns are a type of restoration that can last between 5 and 15 years depending on the material chosen and the quality of care they receive. However, crowns may not provide the long-term durability patients desire if they are not cared for properly through good oral hygiene and protecting them from damage.You can protect…
Dental crowns protect teeth, and patients should not experience any complications such as increased teeth sensitivity or gum pain while wearing them. If dental crown issues develop, then patients are encouraged to contact the dentist as soon as possible to schedule a visit and have the issue properly examined and treated.Although dental crown issues are…
A dental crown is a cover that fits over the entire tooth, protecting it from damage. It can be made of porcelain or gold for aesthetic purposes, but most are constructed of metal. A crown is usually used to safeguard teeth that have already been broken or badly decayed. A dentist can evaluate if a…