Dental Bridge If you have a missing tooth, our dentist can use a dental bridge to replace the tooth with an artificial one. A bridge consists of crowns placed on both sides of your lost tooth, supporting or holding the false tooth, also known as a pontic. It is usually fixed in place. You may have heard about dental bridges, but you do not know how they work. You can consult with our team at 253 Dental Care to get advice about bridges and see if they are an option for you. Who is a Candidate for Dental Bridges?If you have lost a tooth, or several teeth, our dental professional will use an artificial tooth to fill the gap. The most common cause of a missing tooth is decay, tooth injury, or gum infection. You can also be born without one tooth due to congenital issues. You can get a dental bridge if you have teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Types of Dental BridgesThere are various types of bridges we have available in our dental office. A cantilever bridge is the type of bridge where the pontic connects to only one support tooth. This type of bridge is recommended to people who have teeth on only one side of the gap. A traditional fixed bridge is a common type of bridge. The bridge has more than one crown with filler teeth or teeth that are attached together. Traditional bridges are constructed of metals, ceramics, or porcelain fused to metal. An implant supported bridge is similar to a traditional bridge. However, the bridges are not cemented onto the tooth, instead, an implant is fitted to support them. The resin-bonded bridge is also known as the Maryland dental bridge. It is made of porcelain or metal fused on ceramic teeth. This type of bridge is recommended for individuals who have missing front teeth. The bridge has wings on each side bonded to your existing teeth. ProcedureTo fit a bridge, you will need two dental visits. During your first visit to our office, our dental team reshapes the abutment teeth. First, the dentist will remove part of the dentin and the enamel to create space for the crown. The dental team takes impressions or a computerized scan of the teeth and uses the mold or scan as the model to help in creating your pontic teeth, bridge, and crowns. The dentist fits a temporary bridge to help protect any exposed areas in the mouth as you wait for the permanent bridge to be constructed. During the second appointment, our team removes the temporary bridge and places the permanent one. We carefully check the bridge and make any adjustments if need be. Caring for Dental BridgesThe success of the procedure depends on the strength and the health of the remaining teeth. Therefore, you should maintain proper oral hygiene to avoid gum infections and tooth decay. Ensure that you eat a well-balanced balanced diet. Our dental team will show you the right way to brush and floss. Ensure that you brush twice a day and floss daily. Make regular visits to our dental office for cleaning and checkups. Dental bridges last for about five to seven years, depending on how you take care of them. With proper oral hygiene coupled with professional cleanings, dental bridges can last for 10 years or even more. To get more information on dental bridges, visit us at 253 Dental Care. You can also call us at (253) 765-0184. |
