Dentists care for teeth and restore those that are damaged or missing. One method of restoring missing teeth is with dental bridges. Your dentist can inform you whether you are a candidate for this type of treatment. If so, you will receive specific instructions about how to care for your bridge properly.
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that is cemented or bonded permanently in the mouth. Only a dental professional should remove it. A bridge can replace up to four missing teeth as long as they were all in a row. The gap is closed by a prosthesis shaped to resemble the missing tooth or teeth.
Bridges are anchored in the mouth by a crown on one or two teeth or implants placed directly in the jawbone. A traditional bridge requires two healthy teeth on either side of the gap to serve as abutments. A crown on either side of the gap fits over one of the abutment teeth and is cemented in place. The bridge is supported between the two crowns.
If a traditional bridge is not possible or not desired, there are other variations that may be more suitable. If you wish minimal alteration of the abutment teeth, a Maryland bridge is supported by metal wings bonded in place on either side, removing the need for crowns. If there is only one abutment tooth available, it may be possible to place a cantilever bridge requiring only one crown.
An implant-supported bridge does not require any crowns or alteration of the other teeth. It is a good option when you do not want changes to any other tooth, or abutment teeth are either unavailable or too unhealthy to support the bridge.
In some respects, caring for a dental bridge is similar to caring for regular teeth. For example, brushing and flossing are still necessary steps. However, you may have to learn new techniques for carrying out these daily oral hygiene tasks.
The requirement to brush twice a day and floss at least once daily continues with a bridge. However, because a bridge is all one piece, you cannot floss between the prostheses and the crowns. Instead, you have to floss around the bridge.
With a dental bridge, food particles can get caught under the prosthesis. You have to clean underneath the bridge to remove these so they do not promote decay of your natural teeth. There are several methods for cleaning under a bridge:
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Cumming, GA
Bridges are a restoration option available for replacing one or more missing teeth. If the traditional bridge does not suit your needs, one of the variations might. Bridges require a slight alteration to your daily care routine.
Request an appointment or call North Georgia Smiles at 770-889-7867 for an appointment in our Cumming office.
Dentistry is concerned with diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity and adjacent and related structures and their impact on the human body. Often, dentists will recommend extraction to remove a tooth due to decay, pain, or other factors which could lead to future health issues, possible loss of teeth,…
Many people still have mistaken beliefs about general dentistry. As is often the case with misinformation, it can be very persistent. Myths are often more well-known than facts.One way to find out the truth behind the myths is to visit a dental office frequently and ask questions of the dentist and hygienists. You can trust…
Dentistry has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people wanting to maintain their pearly whites than ever before. No longer just limited to treating tooth decay and removing cavities, practitioners can also provide cosmetic dentistry treatments to help you achieve that beautiful smile you've always wanted. If you want to learn more about…