Dental bridges, or dental prostheses, replace one or more missing teeth. They are made of porcelain and attached to the natural teeth surrounding the gap in the mouth. Dental bridges are a long-term solution for tooth replacement that is often more aesthetically pleasing and less expensive than other options. Although dental bridges can last for many years, they may eventually need to be replaced due to wear or damage from chewing food.
As part of dental care, there are various ways that dental bridges can help prevent remaining teeth from caving in. Here are three significant ways.
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Providing Support and Stability to Teeth
Dental bridges are designed to support and stabilize teeth lost due to injury or tooth decay. The bridge is made of porcelain fused with metal and can be bonded directly to the two adjacent teeth on both sides of the gap.
The two adjacent teeth are prepared by removing some enamel from each of them. This allows a groove to be cut into the top of one tooth and a crown placed over it. A similar groove is then cut into the bottom of the other tooth so that when both grooves are filled with porcelain, they form a canal that matches up with the canal in the replacement tooth. This can be done using impressions or a scanner if needed.
Once all this has been completed, clients will need to return for their final appointment, where the dentist will place the permanent bridge. This usually involves drilling holes into each side of your mouth so that screws can be inserted into them. These screws help hold everything together while still allowing movement between these teeth and their replacements, which is necessary because they aren’t joined together.
Preventing the Loss of Natural Tooth Structure
Dental bridges prevent the loss of natural tooth structure by mimicking the appearance of a complete smile. They are made up of two crowns, or caps, that are bonded to the surrounding teeth on either side of the missing tooth. The bridge then connects these crowns to form one piece, which is shaped to match the shape and size of the missing tooth.
This restoration also helps prevent bone loss around the area where teeth are missing due to its ability to recreate the same amount of force on each side of the bridge as there would be if there were still healthy teeth in that area.
Preserving Gum Health
The key to dental bridge success is its ability to preserve gum health. Gum disease can be caused by several factors, including poor dental hygiene, smoking and alcohol consumption, and a lack of regular checkups at the dentist’s office. When left untreated, severe gum disease can lead to tooth loss, making dental bridges ineffective as a treatment option.
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding jawbone begins to deteriorate and resorb (or dissolve) over time. This process is known as bone resorption. Bone resorption can lead to bone loss and make it difficult for dentures to fit correctly, leading to loose dentures or even more lost teeth.
Dental bridges are made of porcelain or resin and cemented into place on either side of the missing tooth. The prosthetic tooth is then attached to the abutment teeth by metal clasps. The placement of dental bridges preserves the natural tooth structure and prevents further bone resorption because there is no longer a gap between missing teeth.
Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth, but they have some limitations. They can’t be used on the front teeth, and they’re not suitable for people who grind their teeth.
