Dental Bridges Explained

Dental bridges are a great way to restore teeth that have lost their natural shape or strength due to decay. They are also commonly known as false teeth.

Dental bridges are artificial replacements for missing teeth. The dental bridge consists of two crowns (top) placed over the existing teeth and a pontic (bottom) between them. This helps to replace the space where the tooth was lost.

Types of Dental Bridges

There are three types of dental bridges which include:

• A cantilever dental bridge. This is the most common dental bridge used today. It has an arch-shaped pontic, which rests on the abutment teeth. These can be made from porcelain, gold, or other materials depending upon your preference.
• Maryland dental bridge. Similar to a cantilever dental bridge, except that there is no arch-shaped pontic. Instead, a flat pontic sits on top of the abutment teeth.
• Traditional dental bridges. These are similar to Maryland dental bridges but with a more traditional look. There is no pontic in this design.

How Dental Bridges Work

Making a dental bridge begins by first removing all of the decayed portions of the tooth. Once the tooth is removed, you will need to prepare the area so that new dentures can fit properly. Then, the dentist will create a mold of the prepared area.

This mold will then be sent off to a lab to make the actual prosthetic. After the prosthetic is ready, your specialist will insert it into the mouth. Finally, a temporary bridge will be fitted to hold everything together until the permanent one comes in. For best results with your dental bridges, be sure to take your time to find a reputable dental clinic. Once you visit our clinic, be sure that all your dental solutions can be found here.

Benefits of Having Dental Bridges

The benefits of having a dental bridge include:

1. Improved Chewing Ability

When you have gaps in your smile, you may not chew food well, especially if you eat crunchy foods like nuts or popcorn. Having dental bridges improves your ability to chew with ease.

2. Better Appearance

A gap in your smile makes you feel self-conscious about how you look. However, you no longer have that problem with dental bridges since they blend naturally with your facial features. In addition, a dental bridge looks much better than any denture because it does not stick out from the lips.

3. Reduced Risk of Gum Disease

One reason people develop periodontal diseases is that they cannot clean their teeth effectively without causing damage to their gums. When you replace missing teeth with dental bridges, this problem is eliminated because you will have proper access to all areas of your mouth.

4. Easy Maintenance

Dental bridges are very easy to keep clean. They require minimal cleaning since they do not need to be brushed, rinsed, or flossed.

5. Increased Self-Confidence

Many people who have missing teeth worry about what others think of them and how they appear. But with dental bridges, you won’t have to worry about these things anymore since they give the illusion of having perfect teeth.

6. More Comfortable Eating

Even though dental bridges look good, they still affect your overall comfort level while eating. You may find yourself cringing every time you open your mouth because of the feeling caused by the absence of your teeth. Dental bridges relieve this discomfort since they help prevent the occurrence of cracked lips or chapped cheeks.

7. Fewer Trips to The Dentist

When you have several missing teeth, you end up going to the dentist quite often. This is because you need to undergo multiple treatments to repair the damage done by years of cavities. However, you only go to your dentist to fit with dental bridges. From there, it takes just a few days to get the finished product.

8. Improved Speech

Another benefit of having dental bridges is improving your ability to talk clearly. If you suffer from poor articulation due to missing teeth, you can resolve this issue by using dental bridges. Because the gap in your mouth has been filled, you no longer have to work hard to say certain words. Your voice will now sound stronger as well.

9. Improved Appearance

Dental bridges also allow you to show your beautiful smile more easily. Gone are the days when you had to hide your smiles behind your handkerchiefs. Now that you can display your pearly whites freely, you will enjoy looking at photos of you smiling.

10. Prevents Jawbone Loss

When you lose your teeth, you also lose bone mass that helps support your jaw joints. However, you benefit from holding onto this bone mass with dental bridges. As long as you maintain healthy oral hygiene, you should see the results of this bone gain after just a few months.

Are There Risks Associated with Dental Bridges?

Yes, there are some drawbacks to getting dental bridges. These include:

• Replacing missing teeth with dental bridges is relatively expensive.
• It requires extensive rehabilitation efforts before you can use it successfully. Therefore, most insurance providers do not cover dental treatment like this.
• Although dental bridges are durable, they will eventually break down over time. At that point, you will need to have them replaced again.
• Dental bridges take time to heal properly. For that reason, you might experience some sensitivity during your first weeks of use. After that, you will hardly notice any difference.

If you decide to get dental bridges, please remember to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully.

How Do I Take Care of Dental Bridges?

To keep them in top condition, always make sure to:

• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Floss regularly
• Avoid sticky foods such as candies
• Rinse out your mouth when you finish drinking beverages
• Keep away from acidic substances
• Use anti-bacterial mouthwash
• Have regular checkups with your dentist

Conclusion

Every individual who wants to develop a perfect smile must understand dental bridges and how these structures can enhance their personality. These tooth replacement options come with many benefits, and one must have a thorough understanding of why so many people prefer them.

Read also: What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants That Exist Today?