When one or more missing teeth leave gaps in your smile, a dental bridge can be a wonderful solution. This special structure consists of a set of prosthetic teeth (called pontics) and crowns (or abutments) that attach to your healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
Each part of this prosthetic can be crafted from precious metals and alloys, porcelain, or a hybrid of these and other materials. Natural teeth or implants are used to support dental bridges. To learn more about the ins and outs of this unique treatment, please reach out to your local dentist today.
Understanding Dental Bridges
Dental bridges in Vancouver replace missing teeth and improve smile health. Dental crowns are attached to the teeth or implants around the gap, and one or more fake teeth (pontics) cover the gap. The bridge must adjust to prevent tooth misalignment and its problems.
There are four versions of bridges available including traditional, cantilever, implant-supported, and Maryland bridges, and each one serves a different purpose based on the patient’s oral health and aesthetic goals. The consultation, tooth preparation, impressions, and placement of a dental bridge can require multiple visits.
Your structure can last for years if you visit the dentist and maintain proper dental hygiene. Permanent dental bridges help restore a patient’s smile, eating, and speaking.
The Process of Installing a Dental Bridge
The teeth that will support the dental bridge will be properly prepped at the initial appointment. Preparing teeth for a crown includes carefully removing enamel. Dental impressions are made to allow the dental laboratory to make the bridge, pontic, and crowns.
Your dentist in Vancouver will carefully make a temporary bridge to protect your gums and teeth while the permanent one is made. It will prevent additional damage and improve dental health. Your magnificent porcelain or robust metal bridge will be carefully evaluated and adjusted during your next appointment to achieve a correct fit.
After that, your temporary bridge will be carefully removed to make room for the beautiful replacement. Adjustments to the metal structure and bite may be needed during many appointments—a tooth-by-tooth evaluation.
Dental professionals often use temporary cement to install a fixed dental bridge. It ensures proper fit and function. After a few weeks, dental cement permanently attaches the bridge.
Advantages of Dental Bridges
This service can significantly benefit patients in many ways. First and foremost, they help restore your oral function by replacing missing teeth, which enhances chewing and speaking. This restoration of function can also improve dietary choices and nutritional intake.
Other benefits of dental bridges include maintaining tooth alignment. When a tooth is lost, the adjoining teeth often shift toward the vacant gap, which can affect tooth alignment and bite. Bridges expertly cover the gap, preserving the adjoining teeth’s natural alignment.
By bridging gaps in your smile, dental bridges can improve its appearance and boost your self-confidence. Their tint and contour are painstakingly matched to your actual teeth, creating a seamless and authentic look.
Dental bridges near you also evenly transfer mastication stresses among adjacent teeth, reducing tooth wear and attrition. It can improve the long-term health of your natural teeth.
Bridges also reduce jaw bone loss, a major tooth loss complication. Bridges maintain bone density and oral structure by gently stimulating them.
Ultimately, acquiring a dental bridge can help solve several issues at the time, such as restorative and cosmetic challenges. They help ensure optimal oral health and well-being. Do keep in mind though that dental bridges need regular care and checkups to last as long as possible.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
It is crucial to keep the remaining teeth healthy and robust, as the effectiveness of the bridge (depending on the kind selected) depends on the sturdy foundation supplied by the surrounding teeth.
Tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can lead to tooth loss if not treated, can be avoided with regular brushing, flossing, and the use of an antiseptic mouthwash. A dental professional, such as a hygienist or dentist near you, may show you the correct way to clean your teeth. Maintaining a regular cleaning program will improve the likelihood that any underlying issues can be detected at an early, more treatable stage.
Looking to Gather Additional Information?
City Square Dental is your trusted partner when it comes to repairing your smile and getting it back to looking and functioning beautiful.
It is of vital importance to engage in a full talk regarding your oral problem with a qualified dentist or prosthodontist. This will help them determine the best way to approach your unique situation, whether that’s with a dental bridge, implants, or something else uniquely suited to your needs.