A missing tooth can reduce confidence in a person and can also lead to many teeth complications. This gap between the teeth can make eating and speaking a challenging task. Dental bridges are artificial materials used to cover such areas in the mouth. Presently, many dental bridges are durable, tooth-preventing, and aesthetically strong. This blog discusses when a dental bridge is the best option for a missing tooth.
A dental bridge is fixed in the mouth to create teeth-like covering over the gap left by the missing tooth. The traditional method requires the fixing of a dental bridge called pontic. This pontic is fixed on both sides of the dental crown of the nearby tooth (abutment) to make it stronger. In the absence of a vital tooth, the dental bridge can be fixed to a dental implant to achieve the same result. The pontic remains set on both sides of the crown with a mental bridge to cover the gap between the teeth.
Reasons for a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is used for one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are placed to restore the teeth to their original look and improve that person’s smile. Aside from the beauty added by the dental bridge, the treatment also increases the efficiency of chewing, biting, and speaking while keeping your face in natural shape. The presence of a dental bridge in the mouth will prevent the nearby tooth from shifting, chipping, or drifting from its position.
The cantilever bridge is used in places with no adjacent solid teeth to hold the abutments. In such cases, the cantilever bridge is used because it is only secured from one side to the abutments since no strong tooth is near the gap. The drawback is that the cantilever bridge is not stable but suitable for back molars with no other option.
A dental bridge procedure takes two office visits, which is the best option. Work is done on your teeth on the first visit. This work includes chipping and filling the teeth to fit the dental crowns that are being forged. This fitting will make the crown sit properly and secure in the mouth. The first visit will provide a temporary crown that can be removed at any time. A second office visit is needed to adjust, fit, and fix the permanent dental bridge.
What types of dental bridges are available?
There are four types of bridges.
- Traditional fixed bridge: this is the most used dental bridge. The procedure has a set of connected teeth or filler teeth with two or more crowns. The bridge is held together by the crown. They are mostly forged from metal, porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
- Cantilever bridge: this bridge connects the pontic to one abutment tooth.
- Maryland dental bridge (resin-bonded bridge): this dental bridge is standard with missing front teeth. The bridge is made from porcelain combined with metal or ceramic teeth and a framework.
- Implant-supported bridge: this bridge is held together by an implant. And looks like the traditional bridges.
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