Dental Bridges

Long term cosmetic restorations which hold the tooth together, how many times has your filling chipped off?

Dental bridges are named so because they bridge the gap in the mouth between successive teeth when one or more teeth are lost.

Nature of a Dental Bridges

A bridge consists of two crowns for the teeth, one on either side of the gap. These anchoring teeth are known as abutment teeth and there is a false tooth/teeth (called pontics) in between. The false teeth vary in composition from gold, different alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these. Both natural teeth and implants support bridges.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

The single most important benefit of a bridge is the ability to replace a missing tooth or teeth in minimal time as a fixed option in the mouth

Other Benefits of dental bridges include:

• Restoring the ability to chew and speak better
• Restoring your smile
• Maintaining proper facial shape
• Properly distributing the forces during eating
• Keeping teeth from drifting out of their natural position

Types of Dental Bridges

Presently, three main types of dental bridges are available:

• Traditional Bridges
• Cantilever Bridges
• Maryland Bonded Bridges

Traditional Bridges

These are the most common type of dental bridges, involving a crown for the tooth or implant on both sides of the missing tooth having a pontic between them. Traditional bridges are made of porcelain or ceramics.

Cantilever Bridges

These bridges are used for missing tooth/teeth such that there are adjacent teeth on only one side these missing tooth/teeth.

Maryland Bonded Bridges

These are also known as resin-bonded bridges or Maryland bridges. These are composed of plastic teeth and gums with a metal framework supporting them. Metal wings on both sides of the bridge are bonded to the natural teeth.

Process for Obtaining a Dental Bridge

The following steps are followed in obtaining a dental bridges:

• The dentist prepares the abutment during the first visit.
• Teeth impressions are taken as a model for the bridge, pontic, and crowns.
• A temporary bridge is made for you to wear for the protection of your exposed teeth and gums.
• The temporary bridge is removed in the following visit and the permanent bridge is fitted.
• More visits may or may not be required for adjusting the bridge.

Cost of Dental Bridges

The cost of dental bridges depends on different factors like the particular type of bridge selected, part of the country where the procedure is performed etc. Depending on the individual plan, dental insurance will usually pay a percentage of the procedure’s fee.

Age of Dental Bridges

Age of dental bridges vary, lasting some five to seven years or longer. If the patient maintains good oral hygiene and takes effective preventive measures, the bridge can last for more than ten years.

Eating with a Dental Bridge

It is generally easier to eat with a dental bridge. Take soft food, cut into small pieces, until you become accustomed to the dental bridge.

Speaking with a Dental Bridge

Having a dental bridge brings the anterior teeth in a proper relationship and makes speaking easier than that with missing teeth.

Care for Dental Bridge

For making your dental bridge a success, it is important that you keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong. Follow the general hygiene habits:

• Brushing teeth twice a day
• Flossing daily
• Keeping a regular cleaning schedule
• Taking balanced diet