What is the purpose of a dental brigde?
If you have two or more teeth missing in a row and you want a permanent and discrete alternative to dentures you should consider bridges. Bridges literally bridge gaps between teeth, improving the general appearance of the smile, as well as the ability of the patient to speak clearly, chew correctly and bite without fear or pain. We offer a wide variety of bridges, including traditional, implants and modern porcelain, so at least we have one option for everybody. If you are looking for a comfortable and natural-looking solution for your missing teeth, you should contact us and ask us about bridges.
Dental bridges, also known as pontic, can replace the missing teeth. The bridge consists of two crowns attached on both sides of a false teeth that replaces the missing one. This is known as fixed bridge. This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth as the removable partial dentures.
In parts of the mouth that are under less pressure, such as the front teeth, a cantilever bridge can be used. This type of bridge is used when there are supporting teeth on one side of the open space. Bridges may reduce the risk of gum disease, help to correct some bite problems, and even improve your speech. Bridges require a great commitment to oral hygiene, but in that way they may last ten or more years.
Who can be a candidate for dental bridges?
If you have lost some teeth and you have good oral hygiene customs, you can discuss about this procedure with your dentist. If the spaces are left unfilled, the surrounding teeth may change their position. Besides, empty spaces caused by missing teeth can cause teeth and gum problems, making them more susceptible to decay and gum disease.
Dental Bridge. Procedure.
If you have a space caused by a missing of one or more teeth, a dental bridge will be custom-made to fill that empty space with a false tooth. The false tooth will be attached by the bridge to the two other teeth surrounding the empty space.
How is a dental bridge accomplished?
First of all, the teeth on either side of the empty space are prepared for the false tooth. You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area, and the dentist will start to prepare the teeth to put the crowns. In case these teeth already have fillings, part of that filling may be left in place to help as a foundation for the crown.
The dentist will take an impression of your teeth that will help as the model from which the false teeth, crowns and bridge will be made by a dental laboratory. A temporary bridge may be placed for you to wear while you wait for the following visit to have your permanent bridge.
You may have to use a Flipper.
A flipper is a false tooth that temporarily takes the place of the missing tooth before the permanent bridge is placed. The flipper may be attached through a wire or plastic device. The flipper is a temporary solution while you wait for your permanent bridge.
On the following appointment, the temporary bridge will be removed and your new permanent bridge will be fitted, checked and adjusted for any bite discrepancies. Once everything is properly checked, your new bridge will be cemented to your teeth.
There are three types of dental bridges:
Traitional Fixed bridge: A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as pontic, which is fixed to two crowns to fill the empty space caused by missing teeth. There are two crowns attached to both sides of the false tooth, keeping it fixed to its place. This is known as fixed bridge. Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth as you could do with removable partial dentures.
Resin bonded bridges: the resin bonded bridge is primarily used for front teeth. This bridge is less expensive, and is best used when the abutment teeth are healthy and don't have large fillings. The false tooth is fused to metal bands that are attached to the abutment teeth by a resin which is hidden from view.
This type of bridge reduces the amount of preparation on the adjacent teeth.
Cantilever bridges: In parts of the mouth under less pressure, such as the front teeth, a cantilever bridge can be used. This type of bridge is used when the supporting teeth are only at one side of the open space. This procedure consists of anchoring the false tooth to one side of one or more natural teeth.
A crown is like a cover placed on the existent tooth which was carefully prepared. It is used to strengthen and improve the appearance of the natural teeth. The crown is placed in a natural tooth when there isn't enough tooth structure to fix it with a filling.
There are several ways to restore a tooth the most common one is with a filling. Crowns are used to strengthen a tooth which was badly repaired, broken, very discoloured, or teeth that were wrongly aligned or teeth that suffered from a root canal treatment. Crowns can also be used to protect the structure of a cracked or broken tooth.
Crowns completely cover teeth, restoring its natural color, size, form and function. The position of the crown inside the mouth often determines the type of material to make it. The tooth under the crown is reduced in size. The crown will be permanently cemented on the reduced tooth. While you wait for your permanent crown to be made, your dentist will place a temporary one to wear. Crowns have a long-lasting life and resist better to stains, keep their original color and resist cracks and breaks.
If the tooth is severely damaged and only a small part of its structure remains after being restored with a root canal treatment, it might be necessary to put a metal screw to support the crown.
When is it possible to have a crown?
To restore a tooth alter a root canal treatment. To protect the remaining structure of the tooth.
For aesthetic reasons such as discoloration and distorted teeth.
- When, after restoring a tooth with a filling, there is a very small portion of the natural teeth remaining.
- When teeth are cracked. Teeth may have small cracks that can cause sensitivity when exposed to heat or cold, pressure or air stimulation.
The full cover that crowns offer often relieves these symptoms and strengthens the tooth.
It depends on the oral hygiene and habits. However, with a good oral hygiene and dentist supervision, most crowns last a long time. Bad habits such as press or grind your teeth, chew ice, and bite your nails can dramatically reduce the life of a crown.
Besides visiting your dentist and brushing your teeth twice a day, cleaning carefully your teeth is of vital importance for crowns. You should regularly use dental floss or interdental cleaners to eliminate dental plaque of the part where the teeth join with the gums.
- Ceramic crowns.
- Metal crowns.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
- Resin crowns.
Why using a dental crown?
To place a dental crown it is necessary to remove a great part of the tooth since it will be completely covered by the crown. Crowns provide protection to the entire tooth and are indicated when teeth have suffered a significant loss of structure or have a high risk of break. Crowns can be placed onto natural teeth or dental implants.
In most cases the complete procedure takes two visits. Normally, an x-ray is taken to check the condition of the nerve of the tooth which will have the crown and to evaluate the health level of the surrounding bone. In case you need it, the area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic. The tooth receiving the crown is reshaped through trimming of the superficial part of it which is often used to chew. The amount trimmed will depend on the crown used (generally from 1 to 2mm). Once the tooth is prepared, the dentist takes an impression. The crown will be made according to this impression. Then the shade (color) for the crown is chosen.
The dentist makes a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth, while the permanent crown is made. The temporary crown is not as strong as the permanent crown, but it is attached with a temporary cement so it can be removed as soon as the permanent crown is ready to be placed. It is convenient to avoid chewing sticky foods while you have the temporary crown.
On the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is placed. If the bite is comfortable and the color is right, the new crown is cemented to the tooth.
