What is a Dental Bridge?

Your dentist can employ dental crowns and bridges to cover any gaps in your smile caused by missing front teeth. A pontic, a synthetic tooth used in dental bridges, is secured in place by the teeth on either side of the gap or abutment teeth. Pontic, also known as a tooth bridge, is often made of porcelain to aesthetically match your natural teeth, though they can also be composed of other materials, such as gold.

Who Needs Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges could be able to aid if you’ve lost a tooth or teeth. The three primary reasons for tooth loss are trauma, gum disease, and tooth infection. Or maybe you have a congenital illness that led to the condition of missing teeth. You require healthy teeth on either side of the missing teeth to acquire a bridge.

Teeth near a lost tooth may shift into the gap. Your opposing jaw’s teeth may also shift upward or downward toward the opening. It may lead to:

•       Bite issues
•       Difficulty with chewing
•       Discomfort from the extra pressure on your teeth and jaw
•       Feeling self-conscious about your appearance or smile

Therefore, it’s crucial to insert dental implants or replace missing front teeth with a bridge when necessary.

Types of Dental Bridges:

Traditional Fixed Bridge

It’s the most basic bridge. It has one, two, or more connected filler teeth, as well as one or more crowns. The treatment is secured by the crowns.

Cantilever Bridge

One abutment tooth serves as the pontic’s only connection in this form of bridge. For those with teeth solely on one side of the gap, this can be a great option.

Maryland Dental Bridge

This dental bridge serves as a replacement for front teeth. It is supported by a framework and made of porcelain bonded to metal or ceramic teeth. Each side of the treatment has wings that are attached to your natural teeth.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

This bridge resembles a “traditional fixed bridge,” except that dental implants are used to hold it in place instead of being bonded to teeth.

The Procedure

For the placement of a dental bridge for your front teeth, you’ll normally need at least two appointments.

Preparation of abutment teeth

The dentist will reshape the abutment teeth at your initial session. To make room for the crown, he will scrape away some enamel and dentin.

Impressions

The dentist will next record imprints of your teeth or digitally scan them. The dental laboratory will make your bridge, fake teeth, and crowns from a mold or scan used as a model. While the lab composes your bridge, you will have a temporary bridge to cover the exposed parts in your mouth.

Placement of a permanent bridge

The dentist then replaces the temporary bridge with a permanent one during your second visit. To ensure that the bridge fits you comfortably, the teeth specialist will thoroughly inspect it and make any necessary modifications.

The Benefits

The treatment has several advantages. This quick process offers a pleasing cosmetic outcome that removes the spacing and produces a consistent, lovely smile. Biting and chewing issues can also occur when you have one or more missing teeth. The treatment assists in resolving the problems you experience while eating. A lost tooth may affect your ability to talk normally, so replacing it with a false tooth will prevent this from happening.

With the proper care, a lost or damaged tooth won’t have to affect the appearance of your smile or the health of your mouth as a whole. If your dentist suggests a bridge for your problem, it’s a great alternative because they have many benefits.

How Long do Dental Bridges Last?

The lifespan of a dental bridge might vary greatly. According to some specialists, it may last 5 to 7 years. Others, however, disagree and assert that a bridge can certainly last for 10 to 15 years. It might even endure a lifetime with adequate maintenance.

How long a bridge is estimated to last is influenced by various factors. Metal bridges, for instance, may survive forever. However, due to their unattractive look, metal bridges are waning in popularity. Although porcelain bridges might not last as long, many patients believe they are still a great investment because of their benefits and aesthetics.

Dental Services at Robert H Thornton

Among the many quality dental procedures, we provide at our dental services in Tupelo are bridge installations. The professionalism and assistance of our staff enable each of our patients to receive the best caliber of dental care.

To make an appointment, you can either call us on your phone or stop by our office.