What You Need to Know Before Getting Dental Bridges
Do you have a gap as a result of missing teeth? The dental gap can cause smile imperfections and affect your oral functionalities. Fortunately, you can get a dental bridge and restore your smile as well as the bite.
A dental bridge is a tooth replacement option that utilizes a pontic or false tooth between two abutment teeth. Dental technologists attach the pontic to the abutments using a tooth crown, implant, or a metal framework, depending on the type and material. Several materials can make dental bridges. They include porcelain, silver, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and gold.
However, to achieve smile aesthetics, dentists recommend ceramic or porcelain bridges since they mimic the natural color of your teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are four types of dental bridges that you can consider to improve your smile. They include:
Traditional Bridges
Two tooth crowns anchor traditional dental bridges on the side. The dental crowns attach to the adjacent teeth with a pontic between them to provide maximum support. Your dentist might recommend the dental bridges if you have natural teeth on both sides of the missing teeth.
Cantilever Dental Bridges
Cantilever dental bridges resemble traditional ones. However, your dentist might recommend cantilever bridges if you only have one natural tooth beside the missing teeth. A tooth crown holds the dental bridge and get support from one adjacent tooth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
Instead of relying on support from an adjacent tooth, the dental bridge gets its support from a dental implant. When getting the dental bridge, your dentist will insert a biocompatible titanium screw into your jawbone and place the tooth restoration on it above the gumline.
An implant-supported dental bridge is beneficial since it prevents bone loss and does not affect the adjacent teeth. The implant-supported dental bridge is also stable compared to other dental bridges.
Maryland Bonded Dental Bridge
A Maryland or conventional dental bridge requires two adjacent natural teeth. However, the dental bridge does not utilize abutments. Instead, the Maryland dental bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework to support your dental work.
The Procedure for Getting a Dental Bridge
Depending on the type of dental bridge you are using to replace your missing teeth, you might need two or three dental visits.
A dental bridge is a suitable tooth restoration procedure. However, there are other tooth replacement options you can consider. Therefore, before getting the dental restorations, your dentist will conduct an oral examination to ensure they are the most suitable tooth replacement option. The oral exam happens during the first dental appointment, which involves consultation.
During the dental visit, your dentist will prepare your adjacent teeth to get a dental bridge. Preparing the adjacent teeth is very significant since the adjacent teeth provide support for your dental bridge. When preparing the adjacent teeth, your dentist will remove a portion of the enamel to accommodate the dental crown that supports your bridge.
After preparing the adjacent teeth, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab to create your permanent dental bridge. In the meantime, your dentist will place a temporary dental bridge to close the gap left by missing teeth.
Once your permanent dental bridge is ready, your dentist will contact you to place the tooth restoration. During the second appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary dental bridge and replace it with a permanent one. Finally, the dentist will check if the shade matches your natural teeth and make necessary adjustments before cementing the dental bridge in place.
Advantages of Choosing a Dental Bridge
If you choose a dental bridge to replace missing teeth, you get to enjoy the following advantages:
- A dental bridge is a convenient tooth replacement procedure since it restores your smile aesthetics and tooth functionalities
- Maintains the structure of your mouth since it prevents the adjacent teeth from shifting towards the gap left by the missing teeth
- The dental bridge prevents the deterioration of the jawbone, maintaining your facial structure
- They feel like your natural teeth and require a short time to get accustomed to them
- Easy to take care of
If you need cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental bridges and other oral care services, you can contact our dentist at Daily Dental & Bracesbar.