|
Dental
Bridge
What
is a dental bridge?
A
dental bridge is a false tooth, known
as a pontic, which is fused between
two porcelain crowns to fill in the
area left by a missing tooth. The two
crowns holding it in place that are
attached onto your teeth on each side
of the false tooth. This is known as
a fixed bridge. This procedure is used
to replace one or more missing teeth.
Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of
your mouth as you might do with removable
partial dentures.
In
areas of your mouth that are under less
stress, such as your front teeth, a
cantilever bridge may be used. Cantilever
bridges are used when there are teeth
on only one side of the open space.
Bridges can reduce your risk of gum
disease, help correct some bite issues
and even improve your speech. Bridges
require your commitment to serious
oral hygiene, but will last as many
ten years or more.
____________________________________________________________
Who
is a candidate for dental bridges?
If
you have missing teeth and have good
oral hygiene practices, you should discuss
this procedure with Dr Phillip F. Ajaje.
If spaces are left unfilled, they may
cause the surrounding teeth to drift
out of position. Additionally, spaces
from missing teeth can cause your other
teeth and your gums to become far more
susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
_____________________________________________________________
Overview
of dental bridge procedure
If
you have a space from a missing tooth,
a bridge will be custom made to fill
in the space with a false tooth. The
false tooth is attached by the bridge
to the two other teeth around the space
- bridging them together.
______________________________________________________________
How
is dental bridge accomplished?
Dr
Phillip F. Ajaje will prepare your teeth
on either side of the space for the
false tooth. You will be given a mild
anesthetic to numb the area, and the
cosmetic dentist will remove the an
area of each abutment (teeth on either
side of the space) to accommodate for
the thickness of the crown. When these
teeth already have fillings, part of
the filling may be left in place to
help as a foundation for the crown.
The
dentist will then make an impression,
which will serve as the model from which
the bridge, false tooth and crowns will
be made by a dental laboratory. A temporary
bridge will be placed for you to wear
while your bridge is being made until
your next visit. This temporary bridge
will serve to protect your teeth and
gums.
Your
cosmetic dentist may have you use a
Flipper appliance. A Flipper is a false
tooth to temporarily take the place
of a missing tooth before the permanent
bridge is placed. A Flipper can be attached
via either a wire or a plastic piece
that fits in the roof of your mouth.
Flippers are meant to be a temporary
solution while awaiting the permanent
bridge.
On
your second appointment, the temporary
bridge will be removed. Your new permanent
bridge will be fitted and checked and
adjusted for any bite discrepancies.
Your new bridge will then be cemented
to your teeth.
_________________________________________________________
Types
of Dental Bridge Procedures
There
are three types of dental bridges:
Traditional
Fixed Bridge
A
dental bridge is a false tooth, known
as a potic, which is fused between two
porcelain crowns to fill in the area
left by a missing tooth. There two crowns
holding it in place that are attached
onto your teeth on each side of the
false tooth. This is known as a fixed
bridge. This procedure is used to replace
one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges
cannot be taken out of your mouth as
you might do with removable partial
dentures.
Resin
Bonded Bridges
The
resin bonded is primarily used for your
front teeth. Less expensive, this bridge
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 bonded to the abutment teeth
with a resin which is hidden from view.
This type of bridge reduces the amount
of preparation on the adjacent teeth.
Cantilever
Bridges
In
areas of your mouth that are under less
stress, such as your front teeth, a
cantilever bridge may be used. Cantilever
bridges are used when there are teeth
on only one side of the open space.
This procedure involves anchoring the
false tooth to one side over one or
more natural and adjacent teeth.
_____________________________________________________________
Advantages
& Disadvantages of Dental Bridges
Pros
and Cons of a Dental Bridge
Advantages
of dental bridges:
Bridges are natural in appearance, and
usually require only two visits to your
dentist. If you maintain good oral hygiene,
your fixed bridge should last as many
as ten years or more.
Disadvantages
of having a dental bridge:
It is common for your teeth to be mildly
sensitive to extreme temperatures for
a few weeks after the treatment. The
build up of bacteria formed from food
acids on your teeth and gums can become
infected if proper oral hygiene is not
followed.
>>
Next Section Bad Breath
>>
Back to Top
>>Click
here to visit our Smiles Gallery of
Cosmetic Treatments
|
