Bridge

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Bridge

What Is a Dental Bridge, and Why?

As its name implies, a dental bridge is an artificial appliance used to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

When a tooth is lost, the adjacent teeth may shift position. The tooth opposite to the lost tooth may begin to extend out of its socket. Shifted teeth are harder to clean and therefore more susceptible to cavities and permanent bone loss. The bite may also be altered making it more difficult to chew, possibly damaging the temporomandibular joint - the TMJ or jaw joint.

A bridge is one of the cosmetic options dentists suggest to patients to help limit the shifting of remaining teeth, alleviate the stress in your bite to correct certain bite problems, reduce the risk of gum disease, improve speech, and maintain the shape of your face to restore your smile.

How Is a Dental Bridge Constructed?

The procedure involves the following steps:

The dentist administers an anesthetic to numb the area. A minimal amount of tooth structure is carved from the teeth on either side of the space to be filled by the bridge.
An impression of the area is made and sent to a dental laboratory, serving as a model from which the bridge will be created.
The patient is fitted with a temporary bridge to protect his/her exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made.
At the dental lab, the dental bridge is made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. The metal, if used, is carefully covered with porcelain because the porcelain can absorb light and look more natural. A porcelain cap, or crown, is also built at the lab in the approximate size and shape of the carved tooth.
At the next visit, when the permanent bridge is ready, the temporary bridge is removed. The new bridge is fitted and adjusted for perfect fit and comfort. The new bridge is then bonded permanently by porcelain crowns on two healthy anchoring teeth on each side of space to be filled. These two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth. These false teeth are called pontics.

A well planned restoration should be cosmetically pleasing, so that it looks like that you never had a tooth removed.

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

There are several different types of dental bridges.

Traditional bridge: a pontic tooth (or false tooth) is held together by two crowns. This trio is then attached (cemented) to the abutment teeth (the surrounding teeth of each side of the gap).
Resin bonded bridge (also known as a "Maryland" bridge): this type of bridge involves the pontic (false) teeth being fused together to metal bands, bonded to the back of the abutment teeth with a resin cement. This type of procedure is common when the teeth missing are in the front of the mouth.
Cantilever bridge - this type of appliance is most appropriate when there is only one abutment tooth on either side of the span.

Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate one for your mouth condition and the location of the missing tooth or teeth.

Will It be Difficult to Eat with a Dental Bridge?

You may need to eat soft foods that have been cut into small pieces before you get used to the bridge. Eventually, a dental bridge that replaces missing teeth should actually make eating easier.

Will the Dental Bridge Change How I Speak?

It can be difficult to speak clearly when teeth are missing in the front or anterior areas. Wearing a dental bridge with the anterior teeth in their proper relationship will help you speak properly.

How Do I Care for My Bridges?

Since the functionality of the bridge (depending on the type selected) depends on the support offered by the surrounding teeth, it is important to keep your natural teeth healthy and strong. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease that may otherwise cause tooth loss. Your dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate how to properly brush and clean between teeth. Keeping a regular cleaning schedule will help diagnose problems at an early stage when treatment has a better prognosis.

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