What Are Dental Bridges and What Do They Do?

1. What Are Dental Bridges and What Do They Do? Bridges When a single tooth is lost, you can expect five or more other teeth may shift. To prevent this, it is important to get a replacement tooth as soon as possible. Dental bridges may be the best long- term solution. By leaving the space you are inviting other problems: ●Teeth may drift ●Your bite may change ●Sore Jaw ●Gum disease or tooth decay because of difficulty cleaning the teeth. What are dental bridges? Dental bridges are false teeth they are supported by their neighbouring teeth to replace one or more missing teeth. These can be fixed dental bridges which are attached permanently. They can removable, which is essentially a denture. The false tooth is then anchored in between two porcelain crowns. The crowns are what actually bridge them together. Fixed dental bridges can also be used to replace just one tooth. Because they look and feel like the natural teeth, dental bridges are an excellent solution. Dental bridges eliminate the gap left by a missing tooth. They are also comfortable to wear and leave you with a beautiful smile. Other benefits include: ●Improved chewing and speaking ●They ease stress on your bite ●They help support facial bone structure What is the procedure for the placement of dental bridges? Dental bridges generally require two visits. In your first appointment, the teeth surrounding the gap will be prepared for the procedure. Molds are taken and temporary cosmetic bridges are placed. The mold is then used as a guide to creating your cosmetic dental bridge. The second appointment is used to install your dental bridge. What are the different types of dental bridges? There are different types of dental bridges and they can be made of gold, durable composite materials, or porcelain. The three main types of dental bridges:

2. ●Resin bonded bridges- optional when the gap exists between the front teeth or when the adjacent teeth are healthy and do not have large fillings. The false tooth, in this case, is bonded via two metal bands on each side. ●Traditional fixed bridge- this is the most commonly used type of bridge, and the one people typically think of. It is two porcelain crowns anchored to the neighbouring porcelain teeth. ●Cantilever bridges- mostly used for the front teeth due to being less susceptible to stress. Used as the anchor when the teeth are only present on one side of the gap. When are dental bridges needed? Bridges are generally recommended when one or more teeth are missing that affect your: ●Smile, appearance, and confidence ●Bite ●Speech ●Facial bone structure ●Oral health- Gum disease and tooth decay, can occur as a result of food that accumulates in the gap How long will dental bridges last? Provided you maintain good dental hygiene and eating habits, dental bridges can last 10-15 years. How do you take care of dental bridges? ●Practice good dental hygiene ●Clean the dental bridge every day to prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease ●Clean under the false tooth every day ●Keep the remaining teeth healthy If you are unhappy with some part of your mouth or are experiencing any pain, call and make an appointment with your dentist. The condition of your teeth plays a large role in your overall health so never hesitate to ask questions. Source: http://ii-smile.com/what-are-dental-bridges-and-what-do-they-do/