Our teeth endure damage throughout our lifetime. We have missing teeth from sports injuries, automobile accidents, and damage or decay. If you lose a tooth, you may be wondering what your options are for replacing it. You might be interested in dental bridge services, which are a form of replacement teeth.
Missing teeth can be a source of embarrassment for many people. But for those who have lost teeth, dental bridges are a great way to replace and restore the functionality of your mouth.
What Are Dental Bridges?
One advantage of dental bridges is that they prevent the problems that may result from missing teeth, which include:
- Other teeth shifting. Your adjacent teeth can tilt if you have a missing tooth. Taking action and replacing missing teeth is essential to a full smile! One of the most reliable tooth replacement options is a dental bridge.
- Bone loss. When we chew food, the teeth in our mouth stimulate our jaw bone. But those with missing teeth may suffer from bone loss. As bacteria deteriorates the jawbone, it is gradually reabsorbed into the body. It can result in wrinkles, jowls, and a loss of jaw function.
- Deterioration of your facial structure. The teeth in our mouth support our cheek and mouth structure. If teeth are missing, it may lead to facial collapse over time. This ages the face and might cause issues with chewing or speaking.
- Trouble speaking. We rely on our tongue and teeth to pronounce words precisely. With gaps in your smile, it may be difficult to speak clearly.
- Bite alignment issues. A misaligned bite may lead to the development of a temporomandibular joint disorder, a condition that causes pain in the jaw.
Gum disease. The teeth in our mouth are used to speak, chew, and smile, but they also serve a purpose to protect the gums beneath them. If that underlying tissue is exposed, it leaves your gums vulnerable to bacteria and infections. Missing teeth can put you at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease.
Given the number of issues that may result from missing teeth, the best way to preserve your oral health is by replacing them. Dental bridges are a long-lasting and effective way to do that.
Types of Dental Bridges
Wondering which type of dental bridge is right for you? Here are a few of the most popular options available to you:
Traditional fixed dental bridge
A traditional dental bridge consists of at least three dental crowns. Each of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth will have a pontic or abutment crown that holds your prosthetic tooth in place. Traditional bridges require us to remove part of your tooth structure to place the dental crowns on the adjacent teeth.
A fixed bridge can last a long time with proper care. Excellent dental hygiene is essential to maintain any dental work. We will discuss hygiene methods before your procedure.
Cantilever dental bridge
A one-sided bridge is called a “Cantilever Bridge”. Cantilever bridges are perfect for low-stress and highly visible areas of your mouth. We will attach your bridge to one adjacent tooth to complete your smile.
Cantilever bridges can work well when placed in an area with little chewing force. They are only anchored to one tooth, so they are not as stable as fixed dental bridges.
Maryland dental bridge
Also known as an adhesive dental bridge, Maryland bridges look natural, and require minimal prep work to your adjacent teeth. These bridges fuse your artificial tooth to metal band materials, which are bonded to your adjacent teeth.
Maryland bridges preserve your tooth structure and work well in low-stress areas of the mouth (such as front teeth).
The success of your dental bridge will rely on the teeth that surround your replacement tooth. At UDental, our team is happy to answer any questions you might have. You can always contact us to discuss any questions you may have about the different types of dental bridges.
Caring for Dental Bridges
Specialized care is required for any dental bridge. You will need to adjust your flossing techniques to maintain the health of your gums.
Caring for dental bridges may look a bit different than cleaning regular teeth. But with the proper maintenance, you can make your replacement teeth last for many years. Our dentists will show you hygiene methods and make product recommendations for your dental health.
If your dental bridges are becoming loose or causing pain, get in touch with us for an adjustment.
Dental Bridge Process
While we create a custom bridge, we’ll apply a temporary bridge in the meantime. Your permanent bridge will be designed to fit the precise dimensions of your mouth. This helps you chew, bite, and speak with ease.
The comfort of our patients is important to us. During the dental bridge procedure, local anesthesia will be administered to prevent any pain. Our dentists will remove part of the surrounding teeth and attach the crowns. Next, they’ll apply the replacement tooth. Finally, the bridge will be cemented into place for a secure and reliable fit.
Depending on the type of dental bridge that you choose, the application process will look slightly different.
Book an Appointment Today
Our dentists can replace your missing teeth with dental bridges. Interested in learning more about this procedure? Call Dental U Clinic today and we’ll help you determine if dental bridges are right for you.