Dental Bridges: Closing the Gaps Left By Missing Teeth
Replace & Repair Several Teeth at Once with Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are typically used in conjunction with porcelain crowns. These restorative dentistry solutions work together to fill gaps in smiles and restore the functionality of teeth. With a bridge, missing teeth are eliminated and a person’s confidence is rejuvenated by their complete smile.
Understanding the Reason for a Dental Bridge
A bridge is composed of two crowns – one on either side of the gap, whether one or several teeth have been lost. The crowns are considered anchor teeth, or abutment teeth, and contain a false tooth or several false teeth in between in order to complete the space in a smile. In the simplest definition, a dental bridge literally bridges the hole that has been created by a missing tooth or teeth. With a dental bridge, however, the gap between teeth is completely closed.
The Necessity of a Dental Bridge
Of course, dental bridges are not the only solution for missing teeth. Many patients are happy to opt for dental implants, which offer a very secure, durable, and permanent solution to tooth loss. But the less-invasive and more affordable dental bridge may often be the more appealing option for many patients.
Bridges get the job done, filling up the holes in a person’s smile. But there shouldn’t only be aesthetic motivations for fixing a gap in your smile. A space left by a missing tooth or teeth will eventually cause problems with the rest of your teeth. Over time, the remaining teeth in your mouth may shift in order to compensate for the gap. Your jawbone will also feel the effects of missing teeth, and the shape of your jaw and face will change, sinking in on itself where there are no teeth. Then you will really have a problem with your appearance, and you’ll be sporting a look that ages you significantly. Missing teeth are a big deal and a big problem that will not fix itself. A dental bridge, dental implants, or other alternative discussed with your biomimetic dentist should be in your future.
The Traditional Dental Bridge Procedure
As your dental bridge treatment gets underway, your biomimetic dentist will determine the best material for your bridge. Like porcelain crowns, dental bridges do come in different types of material. Traditionally, bridges are ceramic or made from porcelain fused to metal (PFM). If you have a metal allergy, it’s essential to inform your dentist.
The bridge is made of several parts – the bridge itself, which contains an artificial tooth or teeth to fill in the hole in your smile, and the crowns on either end of the bridge that anchor it to your natural remaining teeth. The entire piece is fused together to create the complete bridge, and the crowns are necessary to stabilize the bridge.
A temporary bridge is usually put in place to protect your exposed gums and teeth while you wait for your permanent bridge. The fitting of your bridge must be just right so that you are comfortable and your bite is adjusted properly. Depending on your situation, your dentist may temporarily cement your fixed dental bridge in place to make sure the fit is good. After a few weeks of testing out this new restorative dentistry solution and confirming your bite and the fit of the bridge, the entire bridge will be bonded permanently in place.
The Biomimetic Dental Bridge Procedure
There is one major difference between a traditional bridge and a true, biomimetic, tooth-conserving bridge. In the adhesion bridge process, the teeth next to the damaged tooth or teeth do not need to be whittled down for the bridge to fit. Preserving the neighboring teeth helps ensure that the bridge will stay more securely attached and maintain the integrity and foundation of all of the teeth involved in the bridge.
With an adhesion bridge, a prosthetic tooth is fixed to one, sometimes two, adjacent teeth. The bonding occurs via a wing which protrudes from the side of the prosthetic tooth and is then firmly fixed in place with a strong adhesive. The supporting tooth is not compromised in any way in the process, other than some sanding on the back of the tooth in order to help the adhesive stick. In fact, the health of the tooth next to the gap in your smile is of utmost importance in order to preserve the bridge properly and keep it in place.
Eliminating the step of amputating the adjacent teeth in order to prep a mouth and replace teeth with an adhesion bridge is truly tooth-conserving. Because tooth preservation is a cornerstone of biomimetic dentistry, seeing a biomimetic dentist will ensure that the most conservative but effective approach is used for your bridge needs.
Get Your Dental Bridge from Moorestown Dental Professionals in New Jersey
With proper care and regular visits to your dentist, a dental bridge can last for a decade or more. This dental solution is tried and true, and filling the gap in your smile is the smartest thing you can do. Making this repair not only gives you a fully functioning smile once again, it makes you look better, healthier, and younger. A dental bridge is intended to strengthen your smile and support your teeth so that they work hard for you every day. Learn more about your options for dental bridges and whether or not you’re a candidate for a dental bridge from Moorestown Dental Professionals in New Jersey.
