Friday, July 18, 2014

Bridging The Gap Created By Missing Teeth With Dental Bridges



Do you have missing teeth? Do you need a bridge or are there gaps created by one or two missing teeth in your mouth? If so, then you might want to have dental bridges and restore the missing teeth in your mouth. But first, you might want to follow-up it with your dentist. This will ensure that you will have the proper advice and treatment for your missing teeth and teeth gaps.

If you have gaps created by one or two missing teeth, then a dental bridge will literally bridge the gaps created. A bridge comprises of two crowns, one on each tooth on either side of the tooth gap. The two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth wherein a false tooth is placed between them. The false tooth is called a pontics wherein it can be made from alloy, gold, porcelain, or any combination of these materials. Dental bridges can be supported by either dental implants or natural teeth.

Getting a dental bridge might be scary and often times people think of its cost and advantages before they go through with this. Here are some advantages of dental bridges that will help you decide on getting into this kind of treatment:

  •        Dental bridges can restore your smile
  •        Dental bridges can restore your ability to chew and speak properly
  •        Dental bridges can maintain the shape of your face
  •        Dental bridges can distribute the forces in your bite
  •        Dental bridges prevents teeth from drifting out of position

There are three different types of dental bridges available for patients to choose from. Among these types of bridges include:

  • Traditional bridges – This will involve a creation of a crown for the tooth or an implant that will be placed on either side of the missing tooth. Then a pontic is placed between them. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are highly used by a lot of dentists. Traditional bridges can be made from porcelain, metal, or ceramics.

  • Cantilever bridges – This type of dental bridge is used if there are adjacent teeth on only oneside of the missing teeth. Cantilever bridges are typically used to replace only one missing tooth.
  • Maryland bonded bridges - Also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge, this type of dental bridge is made from plastic teeth wherein the gums is supported by a metal framework. Metal wings are also placed on each side of the bridge that is bonded to your existing teeth.


Dental Bridges Recovery and Care

After you have gone under a dental bridge procedure and it has been cemented into place, your dentist will provide you with a list of hygiene information to maintain. This will improve the dental bridges performance and permanency of your restoration. It will also take good care of your teeth and gums as they recover. Using a special bridge floss threader, you can properly and carefully floss the areas surrounding the bridge and between the pontic. Daily use as well as daily brushing will prevent the accumulation of bacteria that can undermine the dental bridge procedure you just had.  

Now you have just learned some important facts about bridges or dental bridges. You now know how you can dress the problem of missing teeth, if you have or a family or close friend. Think it over and get a dental bridge if it calls for one.

- Dr. Joe Kim



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