18 Aug Dental bridge: An overview
A dental bridge is exactly what one might envision when thinking of any bridge. The bridge is used to fill an expanse between two points.
If you have a gap in your mouth due to tooth loss of one or more teeth, your dentist serving San Antonio can construct bridges that can give you the appearance and sense of normality you enjoyed before your tooth loss.
What are the advantages of a dental bridge?
• Regain the confidence you may have lost by being able to smile again
• Improve chewing
• A missing tooth can alter how you speak and filling that void can improve your speech
• Filling a void created by a missing tooth can help prevent your existing teeth from shifting creating more problems such as jaw pain and further teeth misalignment
How does a bridge work?
A bridge is basically made up of two crowns for the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. A false tooth is fabricated for between the two crowns, and all the “teeth” are then created in a dental laboratory.
There are three types of bridges … your particular situation will dictate what you require:
1. A traditional bridge is the most common type and involves preparing two teeth with a false tooth in between.
2. A cantilever bridge is used when there are teeth on only one side of the space to anchor the bridge.
3. A Maryland bridge is made up of plastic teeth and gums built on a metal frame. There are metal brackets on both ends of the bridge that are bonded to your existing teeth.
On your first dental visit, your dentist will discuss your options with you and offer input as to what would work best for you. After your teeth are prepared, an impression is taken of the area to be bridged, and a temporary bridge is made by your dentist to protect the area.
After the lab completes your bridge, your dentist will remove the temporary bridge and place your new bridge. Adjustments will be made and several trips back to your dental office may be needed to make certain your bridge fits properly. If your bridge is fixed (permanent), after you and your dentist are confident of the fit and appearance of your new bridge, he will permanently cement your new bridge in place.
For more information about dental bridges in San Antonio and to schedule a consultation, please call our office at 210-616-0858.