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Dental
Bridges
A dental bridge
is a false tooth, known as a pontic, which is
fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in
the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns
holding it in place that are attached onto your
teeth on each side of the false tooth. This is
known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is used
to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed
bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you
might do with removable partial dentures.
In areas of your mouth that are under less
stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever
bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used
when there are teeth on only one side of the
open space. Bridges can reduce your risk of gum
disease, help correct some bite issues and even
improve your speech. Bridges require your
commitment to serious oral hygiene, but will
last as many ten years or more.
Who is a candidate for dental bridges?
If you have missing teeth and have good oral
hygiene practices, you should discuss this
procedure with Dr. Pries. If spaces
are left unfilled, they may cause the
surrounding teeth to drift out of position.
Additionally, spaces from missing teeth can
cause your other teeth and your gums to become
far more susceptible to tooth decay and gum
disease.
Overview of dental bridge procedure
If you have a space from a missing tooth, a
bridge will be custom made to fill in the space
with a false tooth. The false tooth is attached
by the bridge to the two other teeth around the
space - bridging them together.
How is dental bridge accomplished?
Dr. Pries will prepare your teeth on
either side of the space for the false tooth.
You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the
area, and the cosmetic dentist will remove the
an area of each abutment (teeth on either side
of the space) to accommodate for the thickness
of the crown. When these teeth already have
fillings, part of the filling may be left in
place to help as a foundation for the crown.
The dentist will then make an impression, which
will serve as the model from which the bridge,
false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental
laboratory. A temporary bridge will be placed
for you to wear while your bridge is being made
until your next visit. This temporary bridge
will serve to protect your teeth and gums.
Your cosmetic dentist may have you use a Flipper
appliance. A Flipper is a false tooth to
temporarily take the place of a missing tooth
before the permanent bridge is placed. A Flipper
can be attached via either a wire or a plastic
piece that fits in the roof of your mouth.
Flippers are meant to be a temporary solution
while awaiting the permanent bridge.
On your second appointment, the temporary bridge
will be removed. Your new permanent bridge will
be fitted and checked and adjusted for any bite
discrepancies. Your new bridge will then be
cemented to your teeth.
Types of Dental Bridge Procedures
There are three types of dental bridges:
Traditional Fixed
Bridge
A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a
potic, which is fused between two porcelain
crowns to fill in the area left by a missing
tooth. There two crowns holding it in place that
are attached onto your teeth on each side of the
false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge.
This procedure is used to replace one or more
missing teeth. Fixed bridges cannot be taken out
of your mouth as you might do with removable
partial dentures.
Resin Bonded Bridges
The resin bonded is primarily used for your
front teeth. Less expensive, this bridge is best
used when the abutment teeth are healthy and
don't have large fillings. The false tooth is
fused to metal bands that are bonded to the
abutment teeth with a resin which is hidden from
view. This type of bridge reduces the amount of
preparation on the adjacent teeth.
Cantilever Bridges
In areas of your mouth that are under less
stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever
bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used
when there are teeth on only one side of the
open space. This procedure involves anchoring
the false tooth to one side over one or more
natural and adjacent teeth.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Dental Bridges
Advantages of dental bridges:
Bridges are natural in appearance, and usually
require only two visits to your dentist. If you
maintain good oral hygiene, your fixed bridge
should last as many as ten years or more.
Disadvantages of having a dental bridge:
It is common for your teeth to be mildly
sensitive to extreme temperatures for a few
weeks after the treatment. The build up of
bacteria formed from food acids on your teeth
and gums can become infected if proper oral
hygiene is not followed.
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