Dental bridges are a great solution for anyone missing one or more teeth. They are quick and relatively painless to place.
When a tooth is lost, it can cause a number of problems such as: difficulty chewing food, a lisp and deterioration of the jaw bone. In addition, adjacent healthy teeth can shift into the gap and cause other problems.
Aesthetics
Dental bridges are a fixed dental prosthetic appliance that replace missing teeth. They consist of an artificial tooth (pontics) anchored to dental crowns placed on the natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the gap created by the missing tooth(s). Dental bridges are made from porcelain because it mimics the color and translucence of real teeth.
Porcelain also provides a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to other materials used in dental restorations such as gold and metal alloys. This is especially important because the pontics are visible when smiling and talking.
Aesthetics is a subjective evaluation of beauty or attractiveness. Judgments about aesthetics are based on personal taste, values, culture, social class, education and training, subconscious behavior, and many other factors. However, some aesthetic judgments seem to be universal. Scenes and motifs such as a mother with a child, a hero overcoming adversity, or musical intervals and harmonies, for example, appeal to nearly everyone.
To place a traditional bridge, dentists first prepare the adjacent (abutment) teeth by shaping them and removing any decay or cavities. They may also shave off some enamel to ensure that the abutment teeth are strong enough to support a bridge. The dentist then takes an impression of the abutment teeth using a putty-like material. The bridge is custom-made in a lab from the impressions. It is then bonded to the abutment teeth using dental cement. Some bridges are made of a combination of different materials, but most are constructed from porcelain fused to metal.
Function
Dental bridges are designed to offer you functional benefits that go hand in hand with their aesthetic benefits. They restore your natural mouth function, making it easier to chew and speak normally once again. They also prevent other teeth from shifting into the empty space, which can cause misalignment and bite problems. Dental bridges Excelsior also prevent jawbone degeneration by promoting proper tooth root stimulation to the area of the gum where a tooth is missing.
They are usually made from porcelain, a material that closely matches the color and shape of your existing teeth, which makes them nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth. They are anchored in place by the abutment teeth that have been prepared by removing some of their enamel and then reshaping them to accommodate the bridge. They are a permanent restoration that should last for many years with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist.
Dental bridges can help you regain a healthy smile, which boosts your confidence and self-esteem. It also helps prevent other teeth from shifting into the gap created by missing teeth, which can affect your bite and may even lead to other dental issues down the road. For these reasons, dental bridges are a popular choice among patients who want to replace missing teeth. However, patients should consult their dentists before deciding whether or not this treatment is right for them.
Chewing
Dental bridges are a good solution for replacing missing teeth and reversing the effects of tooth loss. They make eating and speaking much easier by filling the gap and helping to distribute the forces of chewing more evenly across all remaining teeth, especially those on either side of the bridge.
However, they do require some extra care. This is because they are anchored in place by crowns fitted onto adjacent healthy teeth (known as abutment teeth). These are usually made from gold, alloys, porcelain or ceramics. They act as anchors for an artificial ‘tooth’ (Pontic) that fits into the gap and is held in place by bracing.
It’s important to avoid over-chewing hard foods like nuts, bread or even gum as this can damage the pontics and cause them to become dislodged from their abutment teeth. If this happens it’s essential to come in and have them replaced as soon as possible to prevent complications, including the risk of infection and an unnatural bite that may lead to a number of other problems over time.
It is also important to follow a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing twice daily and flossing, along with regular dental check-ups and cleanings. In addition, it’s advisable to take smaller bites and to chew using both sides of the mouth to avoid placing too much pressure on one area of the dental bridge.
Maintenance
If you are missing one or more of your teeth, a dental bridge will replace them and restore the natural appearance and function of your mouth. It can also help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space and causing problems with your bite or dental health.
Tooth loss can lead to weakened bones and drooping muscles in the face. Replacing them with dental bridges will strengthen the area and prevent further problems in the future.
Dental bridges are usually made from porcelain, a material that can be shaped and colored to look like your natural teeth. Your dentist will make sure your bridge fits in with your existing teeth and that it complements your smile. They will place the fixed bridge in your mouth for a few weeks before cementing it permanently. They may also recommend that you avoid eating hard foods, like nuts or raw vegetables, as these can damage or dislodge your bridge.
Your dentist will begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to numb the abutment teeth. They will then prepare the abutment teeth by removing some of their enamel to allow for a better fit of the crowns. Once the abutment teeth are ready, your dentist will fit them with a temporary bridge until the lab makes the final one. During your second office visit, your dentist will verify that the spatial relationship between the abutments and the pontic is correct before they can bond (cement) the permanent bridge in place.