Dental bridges are one of the most common tooth replacement options. They look natural and are an excellent choice for filling in a gap.
In addition to enhancing your appearance, they can help address issues with your speech and prevent your teeth from shifting. A bridge also helps maintain the shape of your face.
Aesthetics
Dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth and fill in gaps left behind by a tooth or teeth that have been removed or damaged. Like dental crowns, they are a type of restorative dentistry called prosthodontics.
Unlike a dental implant, which has a titanium post that goes into the jawbone to act as an anchor, a dental bridge relies on healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Your 韓国インプラント dentist will prepare these teeth by filing down their surfaces and then he or she will make a model of your teeth by taking impressions (molds). This model is used to custom-create the artificial tooth and 2 crowns – as well as any abutments and connectors, which are crafted from ceramics or other materials such as porcelain.
The bridge is then anchored to these prepared teeth or dental implants using the abutments and connecters. The bridge is secured in place with the pontics, which are the replacement teeth, in the space between these two crowns on the remaining healthy teeth.
There are several types of dental bridges, which your dentist will evaluate to determine the best option for you. The most common is the traditional bridge, which consists of two crowns on healthy teeth on either side of the missing teeth and a pontic, or false tooth, in between them. Another option is the cantilever bridge, which uses only a single crown on a healthy tooth to support a pontic.
Function
Dental bridges not only fill gap 韓国インプラント s in your smile, but they also restore the function of missing teeth. Without a bridge, chewing can become uncomfortable or even painful, and the pronunciation of your words may suffer. Bridges also prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting into the gap left by the missing tooth, which can cause bite problems and a misalignment of your jawbone.
During the procedure, a dentist injects anesthesia or mild sedation into the area of the mouth that will receive the dental bridge. Then, the anchor crowns are bonded to the surrounding teeth with cement, ensuring they will remain securely in place. The pontics, which are the artificial teeth in the middle of the bridge, are connected to the anchor crowns with the help of abutment teeth. Depending on the clinical situation, the number of pontics in a bridge can vary, but each one passes chewing forces to the abutment teeth.
Good oral hygiene is essential for the longevity of dental bridges. Patients should brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss regularly. They should also avoid chewing hard foods or objects, as doing so can damage or dislodge the bridge. Regular visits to the dentist and dental cleanings are a must as well. The abutment teeth that support your bridge should be strong and healthy, so people with gum disease or a weak or decaying jawbone are not candidates for the procedure.
Comfort
One of the biggest reasons to get a bridge is for comfort. Patients often find that eating and chewing is easier when the bridge is in place, and they don’t have to worry about their teeth moving or slipping as they do with dentures.
They can also feel as natural as their real teeth, meaning they can speak normally without fear of slurring their words. This is especially important for patients who are missing a single tooth, as they may have stopped smiling or speaking freely because they were self-conscious of their appearance.
Dental bridges also help to restore a proper bite, which can improve digestion and make it easier to speak. Many people who lose a single tooth have trouble chewing food correctly, and this can lead to problems like indigestion or even weight loss issues. Bridges can fill in this gap and help you enjoy your diet again, as well as making it easier to talk and smile.
Traditionally, bridges have been made of porcelain to match the look and feel of natural teeth, but they are also available in other materials, including a metal alloy and zirconia. No matter which material is used, bridges are designed to look as natural as possible and to fit comfortably in the mouth. Patients can expect to experience some discomfort and soreness shortly after getting a bridge, but this should subside as the anesthetic wears off.
Maintenance
Missing teeth can affect the way you speak and can make eating more difficult. A dental bridge helps resolve these issues and gives you back a full smile that’s comfortable to use.
It’s important to take care of your dental bridge like you would any other tooth. You’ll need to brush it daily using a normal soft-bristled toothbrush and floss regularly too. You’ll also need to visit the dentist at least every six months for a check-up and cleaning.
Dental bridges can be made up of multiple components and materials, but the most common is a conventional fixed bridge which involves two crowns that are permanently bonded to healthy and natural teeth either side of the missing one. Another option is an adhesive bridge which consists of a false tooth with specially designed adhesive ‘wings’ that are bonded to the inside surfaces of healthy teeth on either side of it.
The benefit of an adhesive bridge is that you can floss underneath it – although we still recommend seeing your hygienist frequently to ensure a comprehensive cleaning. Bridges may feel slightly tender or sensitive immediately after they’re placed, but this should subside after a few days. If you’re struggling with any discomfort, we suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.