Fill the Gap: Dental Bridges for a Complete Smile
What exactly is a dental bridge?
Dental bridges Sweetwater TN are used to replace lost teeth. They can replace a single tooth or a row of lost teeth. This gadget truly “bridges the gap” in your grin, as the name implies. Custom bridges can be made to match the color of your natural teeth.
A dental bridge is made up of several components:
The structures that support your dental bridge are known as abutments. While the phrase is frequently used to refer to natural teeth, it can also refer to the tiny connector posts used in dental implant-supported bridges.
Pontics are fake teeth that are used to replace the gap caused by lost teeth.Your bridge may consist of one or more abutments and one or more pontics, depending on your situation and the type of bridge you obtain.
Types of dental bridge
Dentists utilize various types of bridges depending on your oral health goals. Dental bridges are classified into four types:
Typical dental bridge. This is the most widely used type of dental bridge. It is made up of dental crowns (caps) on both ends and pontics (fake teeth) in the middle. The crowns are attached to your natural teeth on each side of the gap (abutments), and the prosthetic teeth (pontics) fill in the area between. Traditional dental bridges Sweetwater TN are used when you have healthy natural teeth on both sides of the gap.
Dental bridge with a cantilever. A conventional bridge is similar to a cantilever bridge. But there is only one crown, not two. As a result, when your dentist attaches the bridge to your abutment teeth, the artificial tooth (pontic) “hangs over” or spans the gap. Cantilever bridges are used by dentists when you only have natural teeth on one side of a gap. Cantilever bridges are not as robust as regular bridges due to their design.
Dental bridge in Maryland. Metal wings, rather than crowns, secure your Maryland bridge (or resin-bonded bridge). To keep your bridge in place, your dentist will glue the wings to the backs of your neighboring teeth. Maryland bridges are commonly used by dentists to replace front teeth.
These appliances are insufficiently sturdy to sustain the chewing forces of rear teeth.
Bridge supported by implants. An implant-supported bridge is comparable to a typical bridge, except that it is supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth. Dental implants are little threaded posts that replace the roots of lost teeth. Before you may attach a bridge to your dental implants, they must totally integrate (fuse) with your jawbone. This process typically takes three to six months, but it can take longer depending on your circumstances. When you have three or more missing teeth in a row, your dentist Sweetwater TN may recommend implant-supported bridges.
A dentist will evaluate numerous criteria when determining what type of bridge you require, including:
- It’s your age. (Dentists rarely place bridges in children.)
- How many teeth do you have missing?
- The width of the chasm.
- The state of your teeth adjacent to the gap.
- The presence of natural teeth on both sides of the gap.
- The general condition of your teeth and gums.
- Your individual preferences.
Risks / Advantages
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a dental bridge?
Dental bridges have numerous advantages. However, there are several disadvantages:
- The Benefits of Dental Bridges
- Dental bridges can be used to:
- Provide a natural-looking tooth replacement option.
- Restore chewing and speech function (missing teeth can make eating and speaking difficult).
- Prevent adjacent teeth from moving into the space caused by lost teeth.
Disadvantages of dental bridge
Dental bridges Sweetwater TN also have some disadvantages:
- Damage to your abutment teeth due to decay or trauma might weaken your dental bridge.
- Your abutment teeth may fracture if they are not strong enough to support your bridge.
- Plaque and bacteria can cause gum irritation or cavities if the bridge and underlying gum tissue are not thoroughly cleaned.