Denture Treatment

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge serves as a long-lasting fixture that fills the gap caused by a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. It consists of multiple components that are assembled to seamlessly fit into the vacant space where your tooth (or teeth) once resided.

Dental bridges provide an alternative solution to partial dentures. By utilizing a bridge, you can enhance your ability to eat and speak, as well as improve the overall appearance of your teeth.

These bridges can be crafted from various materials such as ceramic, resin, porcelain, or metals like cobalt and gold. When it comes to replacing front teeth, ceramic stands out as a preferred option. It effectively replicates the natural translucency of teeth and can be precisely matched to your original tooth color.

What Are The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge Treatment?

Getting a dental bridge treatment has lots of benefits for a person who has lost their teeth. The benefits of dental bridge treatment are:

Proper pronunciation is essential for effective communication, and your teeth play a crucial role in forming words. Dental bridges can help address speech difficulties resulting from tooth loss.
The roots of your teeth stimulate the cells in your jawbones, maintaining the structure of your face. Without this stimulation, your jawbone can deteriorate, altering your facial appearance. Dental bridges are a solution to preserving your natural facial features.
A natural and healthy smile is invaluable, bringing joy to your face. Dental bridges can help you achieve and maintain a beautiful smile that radiates confidence.
Don’t let chewing problems and pain become a regular part of your life. Dental bridges can assist in restoring normal chewing function, allowing you to enjoy your meals without discomfort.

How Are Dental Bridges Performed?

For dental bridge treatment a dentist or dental practitioner. A thorough check of your teeth will be done before starting the treatment. For a dental bridge, treatment one will need to have at least two procedures performed. Furthermore, the process can take a long time.

Dental bridge treatment can be done in three ways:

Cantilever Bridge or Traditional

In this procedure the dentist will firstly prepare the abutment tooth/teeth. Enamel and dentin formed on the abutment teeth will be removed to make a space for the crowns. Afterwards, a temporary bridge will be positioned over those teeth in order to safeguard them until the permanent bridge is installed.

During a subsequent visit, the dentist will:

Eliminate the provisional crowns
Verify the fit of the permanent crowns and bridge
Securely attach the bridge

At times, the bridge may be permanently affixed during this process. Nevertheless, the dentist might opt for temporary cement instead, allowing you to confirm the fit of the bridge before making it permanent.

Maryland Bridge

To prepare your abutment teeth for a Maryland bridge, a slight etching on the back side is required. This etching aids in the bonding process between the wings and the teeth.

After ensuring the bridge fits correctly, your dentist will proceed to:

Position the bridge in its designated place.
Securely attach the metal wings to the abutment teeth using a durable resin.
Allow the resin to cure and set, ensuring a strong and long-lasting bond.

Implant-Supported Bridge

Implant-supported bridge requires a surgical procedure to implant the supports into your jawbone, which is then followed by a recovery period.

The recovery period for an implant-supported bridge can differ. It is often advised by dentists to wait around six months before attaching the new crown and bridge. This waiting period is crucial for the implant to properly fuse with the jawbone before being able to support the replacement teeth.

During the interim, you may be provided with a temporary bridge to wear until the final procedure where the permanent bridge will be placed on the implants by your dentist. Since this process involves minor incisions in the gums, the healing time is typically longer compared to alternative bridge options.