Maintaining proper oral health is essential for a healthy smile, but tooth loss can happen to anyone. Fortunately, dental bridges provide a solution for those who have lost teeth, allowing them to maintain the proper function of their mouth and appearance.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth that attach artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Fixed bridges are applied by placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth.
Why Do You Need a Dental Bridge?
Tooth function and appearance are important reasons for having a bridge. Losing a tooth can cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks and maintains the natural shape of your face.
Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth are designed to complement each other, and unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing. This can cause several harmful disorders, including an increased risk of gum disease that can be minimized with a bridge. Missing teeth can also cause speech disorders, as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.
How Is a Dental Bridge Attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment, your dentist will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. Impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.
Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic, or false tooth, replaces the lost tooth. Dental crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.
What Materials Are Used for Dental Bridges?
Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal.
How Do You Take Care of Your Bridge?
A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is critical as the bridge relies on the neighbouring teeth for support. With proper care, a dental bridge can last many years, restoring your smile and dental health.