Restoring Mouth Function With a Dental Bridge

Your dentist can recommend a dental bridge to complete your smile again. This restoration is a popular treatment for people with missing consecutive teeth. Your dentist can help determine if this is the right treatment for you. Here are the details about a dental bridge and how it can restore your oral function and general appearance.

Types of dental bridges

Tooth loss can make one’s bite painful and unstable. It can even encourage more tooth loss and even dental decay. A dental bridge is a common dental restoration capable of replacing at least one missing tooth. Here are the different types to consider:

• A cantilever dental bridge is a less common type of dental bridge. It has one abutment tooth that supports the bridge of pontics. This restoration is ideal for people with only one dental gap.
• A conventional dental bridge needs a dental crown attached to each abutment tooth on both sides of the dental gap. The connectors can be fixed-movable or fixed-fixed.
• An implant-supported dental bridge is like a traditional fixed bridge. But this restoration has dental implants for abutment teeth.
• A Maryland dental bridge is a resin-bonded bridge. It does not need dental crowns on the abutment teeth. It has wings on each side of the pontics. The wings attach the bridge to the abutment teeth by means of an adhesive.

Care and maintenance for a dental bridge

Following the dentist’s instructions in caring for and maintaining a dental bridge will allow it to last for a long time. Daily brushing and flossing can help keep these restorations functional and clean. Using a mouthwash can rinse away remaining food particles around the bridge as well. A professional dental cleaning from the dentist during regular checkups can prevent infections from developing.

The process

The dentist will scan the patient’s mouth and create a model. This mold will begin the process of making the custom dental bridge. The restoration will fit the patient’s mouth well. Its materials will be a durable combination of porcelain and metal. The dentist will make any necessary adjustments during the fitting.

The benefits

A dental bridge is a popular choice for restoring one’s dental function and general appearance. This restoration is custom fit, which makes it stable and comfortable to wear. The patient can perform normal dental functions with a custom dental bridge. The durability it offers comes from its high-quality materials. This allows the patient to have it for many years with proper care and maintenance.

A missing tooth can cause the neighboring teeth to shift. This will later lead to more tooth loss if the patient does not replace the missing teeth. A dental bridge can do the job for at least one missing tooth. It can even prevent dental shifting, wear, and crowding. Wearing a dental bridge can also reduce joint discomfort and enhance speech.