A Basic Guide To Dental Bridges: Types, Procedure, Benefits, and Disadvantages
When you are missing teeth, your oral health can be greatly affected. For instance, missing teeth can affect your smile, impair your ability to speak and chew properly, cause facial sagging, and even worse, cause jawbone resorption. To remedy these effects, you can consider restorative treatments such as dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
If you’re interested in the most natural results without the need for invasive surgery, dental bridges are the superior option. Bridges are strong enough to improve your oral appearance and functionality. For dental bridges near you in Mississauga, ON, contact Dr. Jeff Levman.
A dental bridge is a dental device that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge is made up of an artificial tooth and dental crowns on either side. The bridge can be made from various materials, including gold, porcelain, metal alloys, and much more.
If you’re considering dental bridges, you should consult a dentist near you for a dental exam. The dentist evaluates your teeth and oral health and determines whether you’re a good candidate for bridges.
Generally, there are four major types of dental bridges, including:
- Traditional Bridges – The artificial tooth is supported by dental crowns attached to healthy teeth on both sides of the missing teeth. They are ideal for patients who have lost teeth but still have healthy neighboring teeth.
- Cantilever Bridges – They are very similar to traditional bridges. The artificial tooth is supported by a dental crown attached to one healthy tooth on either side of the missing tooth.
- Implant-Supported Bridges – They are the most complex type of bridge. The bridge is supported by an implant.
Who Can Benefit From Dental Bridges?
While dental bridges are highly beneficial for patients with missing teeth, they may not be ideal for everyone. However, if you meet the following requirements, you might be a great candidate for bridges.
- Have missing teeth
- Have good oral and overall health.
- Have healthy gums, teeth, and bone
- Have good oral hygiene and habits
Dental Bridge Procedure
Getting a dental bridge is a standard procedure that requires about three visits to the dental office. The treatment involves:
Initial Consultation
When you visit your dentist, they will begin by learning about your dental and medical history. Make sure you tell your dentist every important detail about your medical history, including existing conditions or medications. They will examine your mouth and take the necessary x-rays. The dentist will then create a treatment plan and make an appointment for the main procedure.
Preparing the Bridge
On the second appointment, your dentist will prepare you for the bridge by filing down healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth (where dental crowns will be attached). Tooth shaving is necessary to allow the crown to fit perfectly.
The dentist then takes impressions of your mouth and the trimmed teeth and sends them to the lab to create the bridge. Temporary crowns are fitted over the trimmed teeth as you wait for the permanent bridges.
Fitting the Bridge
Once the dentist receives the custom bridge, you’ll be called in. During this appointment, the dentist takes out the temporary crowns and fits the bridge in place with a stronger dental cement or anchors it with a dental implant.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
There are numerous benefits of using dental bridges to replace missing teeth. These include:
- Protects the alignment of the neighboring teeth – The space can cause the adjacent teeth to shift towards the gap, causing misalignments.
- Restores your oral appearance and function
- A bridge can restore up to three missing teeth
- Bridges are durable and can last for many years
- Bridges can restore your ability to speak and chew properly
- Bridges can protect your facial muscles, preventing facial sagging and premature aging
Disadvantages - Teeth shaping is required for traditional and cantilever bridges, which can cause teeth damage to existing healthy teeth
- Implant-Supported Bridges are more expensive and require longer healing time
Schedule Your Appointment
Are you interested in dental bridges in Mississauga, ON? Contact Dr. Jeff Levman to book your appointment today.