Dental bridges are considered some of the most effective, safest, and affordable treatments for missing teeth. These dental appliances often consist of one or more artificial teeth or pontics, which are then held in their proper places by abutments or dental crowns. In the past, the replacement teeth used in bridges often were made out of silver amalgam or gold. However, in recent years, porcelain has been used for aesthetic considerations.
How Do They Work?
The gaps left by missing teeth can be quite unsightly and leaving missing teeth as they are can have serious long-term implications for your oral health.
Bridges help fix your problem with missing teeth by spanning the space, as would an actual bridge. This is usually done by using crowns on each side of the gap created by the missing tooth as anchors, with pontics or false teeth in between. This helps restore both the smile’s function and appearance.
Dental bridges are usually anchored and supported by natural teeth. Although it’s possible for dental bridges to also be supported by dental implants.
Why Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are fixed into your mouth. This means you don’t have to worry about taking it out for periodic cleanings, as you would with a partial denture. Although it is important that you take good care of your teeth by making sure that you follow your dentist’s advice.
If the teeth on either side of the gap have received extensive damage, putting a crown on them as part of the dental bridgework can help strengthen their structure, protecting them from further damage.
There are enough studies proving that, with proper care and maintenance, dental bridges can last for many years, if not decades.
Unless it’s a rare and complex case, bridgework usually takes around only two appointments to finish. This makes the procedure a whole lot quicker compared to that of implants and partial, as well as complete dentures.
The procedure for dental bridges is a whole lot less invasive compared to implants. In comparison, implants require one or more surgical procedures. Not only that, but implants may require you to undergo a bone grafting procedure if you don’t have enough bone available in your jaws.
Apart from improving the structure of the damaged teeth on each side of the gap, fixed bridges can help you improve both the color and shape of the said teeth. Even more so when porcelain is used, as porcelain dental bridges and crowns can be made to match exactly the shade of the natural teeth and at the same time, are very resistant to staining.
Of course, dental bridges aren’t perfect. While they should make chewing and speaking much easier, you still have to make certain adjustments to it. For example, instead of going to back the same diet, you had when you still had a complete set of teeth, stick to eating small and soft foods until you’ve become accustomed to your dental bridge.
Dental bridges will also require special care. Aside from brushing and flossing, your dentist may require you to use an antiseptic mouthwash to make sure the bridge is cleaned thoroughly, as well as to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Restore Your Smile With a Dental Bridge Today!
Missing teeth will only make things worse for you the longer you choose not to do something about them.
Get a dental bridge today so you can go back to enjoying a complete set of teeth and a smile that you can always be proud of.