What are Tooth Bridges?

Tooth bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite.The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth/teeth in between

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Restore your smile
Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
Maintain the shape of your face
Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

What Types of Bridge(Material) Are Available?

Bridges can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain bridgess are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.

Metals used in bridges include gold alloy,or a base-metal alloy (for example, nickel or chromium). Compared with other bridge types, less tooth structure needs to be removed with metal bridges, and tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum. Metal bridges withstand biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest in terms of wear down. Also, metal bridgess rarely chip or break. The metallic color is the main drawback. Metal bridges are a good choice for out-of-sight molars.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental bridges can be color matched to your adjacent teeth (unlike the metallic bridgess)Next to all-ceramic bridges, porcelain-fused-to-metal bridges look most like normal teeth. These bridges can be a good choice for front or back teeth and are mostly used.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain dental bridges provide better natural color match than any other bridges type All-ceramic bridges are a good choice for front teeth.

What Is the Process for Getting a Dental Bridge?

During the first visit for getting a dental bridge, the abutment teeth are prepared. Preparation involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Next, impressions of the teeth are made, which serve as a model from which the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made by a dental lab. Your dentist will make a temporary bridge to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made.

During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new porcelain or metal bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit.If everything is fine the bridge is cemented into place.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Dental bridges can last five to 15 years and even longer. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years.

Will It Be Difficult to Eat With a Dental Bridge?

Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge should actually make eating easier. Until you become accustomed to the bridge, eat soft foods that have been cut into small pieces.

How Do I Care for a Bridge?

It is important to keep remaining teeth healthy and strong as the success of the bridge (depending on the type selected) depends on the solid foundation offered by the surrounding teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Your dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate how to properly brush and floss teeth. Keeping a regular cleaning schedule will help diagnose problems at an early stage when treatment has a better prognosis.