Dental Bridge
Having missing teeth is never a good thing. It can make it hard to chew, influence your speech, and cause embarrassment. But if you have missing teeth, then a dental bridge could be the solution you need.
A dental bridge effectively closes off gaps in your mouth. It entails using a prosthetic tooth that is attached to the natural teeth on either side of the gap to replace a lost tooth. Dental bridges often come in two varieties. The most typical type has two metal or porcelain crowns that are firmly affixed to your tooth structure on either side of the gap, with the fake tooth (or teeth) in the center.
There are different types of dental bridges, including traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, and Maryland bridges. The most common type is the traditional bridge, which involves crowning the teeth on either side of the gap and placing the pontic(s) between them.
Dental Bridges Procedure
Your dentist will make an impression of your mouth to use when making the bridge. To ensure that the bridge fits your mouth as exactly as possible, a plaster mold of your teeth and gums must be prepared. Your dentist will choose the ideal tint for your bridge at this time so that it blends in with your tooth structure.
How Long Does a Dental Bridge Last?
While not permanent, with proper care, many patients report their bridges last 15 years or longer. An essential factor to note is that bridge stability comes from your anchor teeth with the crowns. So it’s vital to keep these natural teeth healthy. The best way to do this is to be consistent with your oral hygiene and dental check-ups.
What Benefits Do Dental Bridges Offer?
- Improve your bite
- Keep the rest of your teeth from shifting
- Regain your speech and chewing abilities
- Bring back your smile
Restoration of Functionality
Dental bridges help restore the ability to chew and speak properly by filling in the gap left by missing teeth. This can improve overall oral function and make it easier to eat a variety of foods.
Improved Speech
Gaps in your teeth can affect speech, causing slurring or difficulty pronouncing certain words. Dental bridges help improve speech clarity by restoring a full set of teeth.
Maintaining Facial Shape
Missing teeth can result in changes to facial structure, leading to a sunken or aged appearance. Dental bridges help maintain the natural shape of your face by preventing the collapse of facial muscles and tissues.