Dental Bridge
Lots of people hear about the term “ Dental bridge “ especially those who complain of missing or broken teeth. In this article, we will explain more details about dental bridge, what is it? It’s uses, types, more and more..
Let’s start with a definition of a dental bridge; what is a dental bridge? The essential purpose of dental bridges is to replace missing or broken teeth with a fake teeth. Still, bridges one or more real teeth on the side of the gap to hold the fake one tight in its place.
You need to know that there are two kinds of dental bridges; one is fixed which means that they are permanent and cannot be changed, the other one is removable which means that they can be changed or can be taken out.
For some people, a dental implant is another option that serves as a bridge. For instance, a person won’t accept using a permanent dental bridge thus will choose to take the dental implant option.
Use Of Dental Bridge:
Most of the dental bridges uses are for cosmetic reasons. For example, a person may feel uncomfortable with a smile of broken teeth or teeth that are about to fall off. Thus, they tend to use dental bridges. Also it can be used for medical reasons, a person’s broken teeth might affect his bite which can cause pain difficulties when eating so replacing these teeth helps prevent painful consequences.
Overall, a person may need a dental bridge when:
- a tooth is about to fall off.
- an injury damaged the appearance of teeth.
- a deep infection under the tooth that causes health problems.
Types Of Dental Bridges:
In general, dentists use many types of dental bridges as below:
- The traditional dental bridge: which is the most popular one. Usually involves two crowns that set the fake teeth in its place and it can be fixed or removable.
- The cantilever dental bridge: needs only one crown for support. It involves less intensive process and might be a good option for those who do not want to damage their healthy teeth. Still, the single crown can act as a lever which increases the risk of tooth and jaw damage.
- Maryland dental bridges: less invasive than traditional or cantilever bridges. In Maryland bridges, the bridge is anchored by metal frameworks attached to the back of the tooth on either side of the gap. Despite being less secure, Maryland bridges preserve healthy teeth.
- Implant- supported dental bridges: use dental implants as anchors. These types of bridges are definitely more secure but more expensive and absolutely invasive.
Process And What To Expect from Dental Bridges;
Procedures differ from a type of a dental bridge to another. For example, when a person wants to get a traditional dental bridge, the procedure begins by preparing the tooth on either side of the gap and the dentist will then grind down the tooth to remove any decay. Then, he will take an impression of the mouth to help fit the bridge perfectly. Think about the impression as measurements.
Meanwhile, the dentist should put a temporary dental bridge on the damaged teeth to protect them. The temporary bridge contains structures that look like real teeth but the main reason is to secure the damaged teeth and they are not permanent so it is very important to visit the dentist again in two weeks maximum. Once the real bridge is ready, the dentist will replace the temporary one with it.
The other types of dental bridges require similar procedures with a little differences in materials and the way of fitting. For example, in cantilever bridges only one tooth will need a crown while in Maryland bridges no crowns are involved so it needs less preparation.
What About The Recovery Of Dental Bridges?
Well, after the dentist grinds down the teeth, a person's mouth may feel tender and it may feel even sore after placing the bridge. Usually, the tenderness and soreness go away after a couple of days but the gums may require a couple of weeks before completing its purposes.
Overall, a person can get back to work or school after a day of the appointment because the effects are not crucial. It is very important to know that people who choose to be sedated during the bridge placement should not be driving after the procedure finishes.
Also, it is important to take care of the following advices after a dental bridge treatment:
- practice oral hygiene to prevent decay.
- keep visiting your dentist (at least twice a year) to make sure everything is okay.
- check with your dentist if it is necessary to avoid certain foods or beverages.
At the end, it is very important to know that all dental prostheses have their risks and benefits. Thus, make sure to discuss all the details with your dentist before deciding what to do.