Dental Bridges

dental-bridges

What are dental bridges?

Created from alloys, gold, porcelain or a combination of materials according to choice, dental bridges or pontics are the false teeth that are supported by the natural teeth or the abutment teeth or the anchoring teeth on either side of the missing teeth or the gap.

What are the types of people or patients who need dental bridges?

People or patients who have missing teeth are the candidates for dental bridges as missing teeth result in the adjoining or the neighbouring teeth to move out of position. Bridges are recommended as gaps caused by the missing teeth will result in a bad bite with the imbalance resulting in gum disease, tooth decay and temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorders.

What are the different types of dental bridges that are used?

There are three types of bridges that are used such as the Maryland bonded bridges or resin bonded bridges which are plastic teeth and gums held together by a metal framework with metal wings on either side that can be bonded to the natural teeth. Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent or adjoining teeth on one side only of the missing teeth or tooth. Traditional bridges are made usually from porcelain or ceramic fused with metal with crowns that are created for the implant or the tooth with the bridge or pontic in between.

Do dental bridges need detailed care?

Yes, basically oral hygiene is very important for the overall health of the body and to keep the remaining natural teeth healthy and strong. As advised by your dentist or hygienist, it is necessary to brush and floss the teeth twice a day to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. It is important to adhere or stick to a regular regimen for cleaning the teeth as dental bridges depend on the health of your natural teeth. It is also very necessary to select a balanced diet as good nutrition contributes to healthy teeth.

Is it difficult to chew or eat with a dental bridge?

It is much easier and more comfortable to eat or chew with a dental bridge than without one. The person who has undergone a dental bridge procedure must get used to it and to start with must eat soft foods or food cut into small pieces.

What is the duration period for dental bridges?

The lifespan of dental bridges last over 15 years if the patient adheres to periodic checkups and precise oral hygiene.

Do dental bridges offer benefits?

Besides helping the natural teeth to stay in place by preventing them from moving out of position, dental bridges offer confidence to the patient by restoring the smile and maintaining the original shape of the face. Dental bridges help the patient or person to be able to speak and chew in a proper manner. The forces of the bite are distributed evenly with dental bridges.

What is the procedure involved for the process of getting a dental bridge?

At the first sitting with the dentist, the abutment or adjoining teeth at the side of the missing teeth or tooth are prepared by recontouring and by taking out a part of the enamel so that a crown can be fitted in over the teeth. Impressions of the teeth are created by a dental lab that would be a model for the crowns, the pontic and the bridge. The cosmetic dentist would create a bridge that is temporary that will protect the gums and teeth that are exposed till the permanent bridge is structured.

The second sitting with your cosmetic dentist would involve the removal of the temporary bridge and the permanent bridge will be fitted in and adjusted. Thereafter, a number of visits to the dentist would be necessary for checking of the bite and the suitability of framework according to each individual case. In case the bridge is a fixed structure, the dentist would cement it in for a temporary period. After a fortnight or so, the dentist will cement the dental bridge in place on a permanent basis.

Do dental bridges change the way people normally speak?

Dental bridges not only make the person confident but improve their speaking pattern in an audible and clear way as compared to the way people speak when they have missing teeth.

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