Comprehensive Understanding of Dental Bridges

If you have missing teeth, they might affect your appearance and oral functions, such as biting, chewing, and speech. To restore your smile and oral functionalities, you can consider getting dental crowns. The tooth restorations bridge the gap created by missing teeth.

A dental bridge utilizes a false tooth, crowns, metal or porcelain frameworks, and abutment teeth to replace missing teeth. The dental crowns sandwich a false tooth, also known as a pontic, and attach to abutments or adjacent teeth for support.

Why Do You Need a Dental Bridge?

Your teeth work together to facilitate chewing, biting, and proper speech. Therefore, if you have missing teeth, the adjacent ones might shift towards the gap. Also, the teeth on your upper or lower jaw might move upwards or downwards, affecting your bite. You can get dental bridges to do the following:

• Correct bite problems
• Improve your chewing abilities
• Relieve pain from the extra stress on your teeth and jaw
• Improve your self-confidence and esteem by restoring your smile

Types of Dental Bridges

There are four major types of dental bridges you can consider to restore your teeth. They include:

Traditional Fixed Dental Bridges

A traditional fixed dental bridge is the most common tooth restoration options among other types of bridges. The dental bridge has two or more tooth crowns and a pontic between them. If you have two adjacent natural teeth, your dentist might recommend a fixed bridge.

Cantilever Dental Bridge

Cantilever dental bridges utilize only one adjacent natural tooth to hold the tooth crowns and pontic. Therefore if you have a tooth restoration on one side of the gap, your dentist might recommend a cantilever tooth bridge.

Maryland Bonded Dental Bridges

Maryland dental bridge is similar to a traditional one. However, instead of cementing the dental crowns on the adjacent teeth, your dentist uses a metal or porcelain framework to hold the dental bridge in place.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

The implant-supported dental bridges resemble traditional ones. However, instead of cementing them in place, your dentist uses a dental implant to hold the bridge in place. A dental implant is a titanium screw that your dentist inserts in your jaw and integrates with it to provide maximum support.

Process of Getting a Dental Bridge

Depending on the type of dental bridge you are getting, you might need two or more dental sessions. The regular procedure for getting dental bridges requires two appointments.

The first appointment involves consultation and preparation of getting dental bridges. During the consultation, your dentist will examine your mouth to ensure dental bridges are the right tooth restorations for you. It is during the consultation appointment that you choose the type of dental bridge you want to replace your teeth.

Next, the dentist will prepare your abutment teeth for the placement of the dental bridge. During this procedure, the dentist will shed some parts of the teeth’s enamel. To prevent pain during the procedure, the dentist might recommend a local anesthetic. However, using anesthesia is not always necessary.

Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab to create a permanent custom dental bridge. The dental bridge will take up to two weeks to arrive from the dental lab. In the meantime, our dentist at Rymal Family Dental will place a temporary dental bridge as you wait for the permanent one.

Once the permanent dental bridge arrives from the dental lab, your dentist will schedule the next appointment. During the second visit of getting dental bridges in Hannon, ON, your dentist will begin by removing the temporary dental bridges. Next, the dentist will place a dental bridge and make the necessary adjustments before cementing it in place and checking the bite.

What Is the Lifespan of Dental Bridges?

The lifespan of dental bridges depends on how you take care of them. If you take care of your tooth bridges, they can last up to 15 years without the need for a replacement. Below are some aftercare tips for dental bridges:

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly
• Use antiseptic mouthwash regularly to prevent tooth decay and gum infections
• Avoid chewing or biting on hard objects or foodstuffs such as ice
• Wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sports to avoid dislodging the dental bridge
• Regular dental exams and cleanings