Removable Dental Bridges: What to Know and How to Choose the Right One for You
Dental bridges can be a great way to cover gaps left by missing teeth and avoid the negative effects that come with having that gap. With a bridge, you don’t have to worry about your smile anymore. You can go back to eating normally again without worrying about whether or not the food you’re eating will end up somewhere embarrassing, like your nose or chin.
Moreover, it’s also one of the most affordable dental procedures for replacing a single tooth or multiple ones at once. This article will give you an insight into what removable dental bridges are and provide you with all the information you need regarding this topic so that you can make an informed decision on whether they are right for you or not.
Variety of Dental Bridges
There are different types of removable dental bridges and the bridges are made from different materials. The type of dental bridge a patient needs depends on where the missing tooth is located. When a person opts for a dental bridge, the cosmetic dentist will provide a temporary bridge while the custom permanent bridge is made.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a device placed across the gap present between two teeth (usually the two front teeth) after one tooth is not in the previous place. It is usually made of porcelain and fixed onto two neighboring teeth with crowns, which are the caps that are placed over the teeth to protect and strengthen them. The two teeth that anchor the bridge are usually adjacent to the empty space created by the tooth that is not present now.
Since dental bridges use existing teeth for support, you don’t have to worry about them falling out as a denture would. They are also incredibly durable and can last as long as permanent or implants, which are the dental procedures that are available to support dentures. Removable dental bridges are removable, meaning they can be taken out while you are eating or brushing your teeth so that you can clean them underneath them.
How does a Dental Bridge work?
When you choose to get a bridge, the dentist will first remove the decayed or broken tooth. And then proceed to perform a root canal treatment if necessary. Next, they will create a framework between two teeth. Adjacent to the empty space left by the extracted tooth.
Once the framework is in place, the dentist will then take an impression of the teeth, gums, and the framework, which will be used to create a bridge. The bridge will be created in a lab with dental materials and then sent to you. You will then meet with the dentist one last time to have the bridge fixed onto your teeth. Next, you will be able to go about your life with a brand-new smile that doesn’t have any empty spaces.
Types of dental bridges
Dental bridges are made from a variety of materials, including porcelain and metal, as well as stronger materials like zirconia and aluminum oxide. A cosmetic dentist will discuss the best material to use to fill in the space of your missing tooth. There are three commonly used removable dental bridges for patients and professionals to choose from today, namely:
A fixed bridge: A fixed bridge fills a gap by connecting an artificial tooth between 2 crowns. Crowns are used to support the bridge and are cemented to the adjacent teeth in the opening so that the artificial tooth looks and feels natural in the gap. A fixed bridge is not removable.
A Maryland bridge: A Maryland bridge is usually used for the front teeth as it does not put as much pressure on them as the back teeth do most of the chewing. A resin-bonded bridge, the Maryland bridge has metal wings or porcelain wings attached to the artificial tooth, connecting to adjacent teeth on either side of the gap area.
A cantilever bridge: A cantilever bridge is also by suturing it to an adjacent tooth, similar to a permanent bridge. However, a cantilever bridge only attaches to a single tooth. It is mainly when there are no teeth on either side of the crack area.
Pros of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a great option for replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth at once because you can fit them to almost any shape, size, or color of teeth. Another pro of dental bridges is that they are conservative. This means they don’t require you to go under the knife, which means less risk of complications and longer healing time.
The other major pro of dental bridges is that they are incredibly affordable and are available be one of the most affordable dental procedures for replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth at once. The initial cost of getting dental bridges is minimal, and they are for years to come.
Cons of Dental Bridges
The biggest con of dental bridges is that they are permanent, which means you can’t remove them whenever you want to. This can be problematic, especially if your gums become inflamed and swollen, which can occur due to an overgrowth of bacteria under the bridge. The only way to treat this is by removing the bridge and cleaning the whole area thoroughly.
The other con of dental bridges is that they are not for people who want to replace missing teeth with dental implants. This is because dental implants require bone to grow around them. If you get dental bridges, the bone in your jaw will start to shrink since it is in use. Since dental implants require bone to grow and dental bridges don’t, getting bridges will hinder the growth of the bone around dental implants.
Tips for Finding the Right Dentist for Your Bridging Procedure
Not all dentists are the same and each dentist has their own strengths and weaknesses. Finding the right dentist for your bridging procedure can make all the difference in the world. When it comes to the longevity of your new smile.
Next, you should consider the dentist’s experience level. You want to go to a dentist who has been in the field for a while. And has plenty of experience with removable dental bridges. Ideally, they should have done at least 100 bridging procedures within the last couple of years.
Conclusion
As you can see, dental bridges are a great way to cover gaps left by missing teeth. And avoid the negative effects that come with having that gap. With a bridge, you don’t have to worry about your smile anymore. Because you can go back to eating normally again without worrying about it. Whether or not the food you’re eating will end up somewhere embarrassing, like your nose or chin.
Dental bridges are a great option for replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth at once. Because they are of almost any shape, size, or color of teeth. And are a very conservative procedure. Finding the right dentist for your bridging procedure can make all the difference in the world. When it comes to the longevity of your new smile.
References:
1-Additive manufacturing of ZrO2 ceramic dental bridges by stereolithography
Publishing Date: 2 January 2018
doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-09-2016-0144
2-The relationship between pontic hygiene and mucosai inflammation in fixed bridge recipients
Publishing Date: August 1982
doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0765.1982.tb01174.x