If you’re looking for a way to get your teeth back, dental bridges are one of the most popular tooth replacement options. They can be used to close gaps in your mouth and improve your oral health. The bridge replaces the space left by one or more missing teeth with artificial teeth or natural teeth on either side of the gap. It gives you back all of your chewing ability while still maintaining its shape as any other natural tooth would.
In this blog post, we will discuss what it takes to get a dental bridge in Australia and how they can benefit you!
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is typically made of two crownscemented on either side of the gap where your tooth was lost or removed. It will then be connected to an artificial tooth, called a pontic, which will fill in the tooth gap. It prevents constant chewing pressure from being put on any area and helps maintain healthy teeth for more extended periods.
Bridges also help preserve facial structure by preventing abnormal wear of adjacent teeth, which would lead to additional tooth loss if left untreated.
The bridge is typically made from metal, gold, ceramic, porcelain or resin that will be matched with the natural colour of your teeth. This solution is often more affordable than implantsbecause it doesn’t require any surgery on the jawbone. Dental bridges provide functionality by restoring chewing function and speech in addition to providing aesthetic benefits.
Dental bridges are commonly expected to last five to 15 years, albeit some can endure for much longer. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, a fixed bridge can last more than ten years.
Types of Dental Bridges:
- A traditional bridge is composed of a crown built on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between. A Conventional bridge is a popular type of bridge because it’s usually made from porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
- A cantilever dental bridge is used when the missing tooth or teeth has only one adjacent tooth on one side. It isn’t done very often any longer and is not suggested in the back of the mouth since it might put too much strain on neighbouring teeth and damage them.
- A Maryland bonded bridge (resin-bonded bridge) is composed of porcelain, porcelain linked to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework. Usually, porcelain or metal wings are attached just to one side of the bridge, which is bonded to your natural teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Bridges
Restore One’s Smile
A beautiful, healthy smile is priceless. A dental bridge may help improve self-esteem and confidence in patients who are dissatisfied with their appearance due to missing teeth. Another advantage is that it can help people who are concerned about their smile’s lack of function or aesthetic appeal.
Improve your chewing function
You may have trouble or even discomfort when eating your favourite foods if you have tooth loss. The shifting of neighbouring teeth toward the space can cause pain. Gum damage can be caused by food particles accumulating in the socket where your tooth used to be. We recommend dental bridge treatment to permanently relieve pain when eating. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable when eating on a daily basis. If you do, get treatment from a qualified health practitioner as soon as possible.
Improve Speech
The loss of multiple teeth may affect your ability to pronounce certain words or cause you to speak with a lisp. By correcting the tooth loss that caused your speech problems, you can get your speech back on track. Your permanent teeth play a significant role in how words are formed in your mouth. Dental bridges aid in the repair of speech problems caused by tooth loss.
Maintain your natural face shape
A tooth loss can cause your jawbone to deteriorate and lead to bone loss. The roots of your teeth stimulate bone cells in the jawbone. In the absence of this stimulation, jawbones start to deteriorate. Jawbone deterioration can cause other teeth loss and facial collapse, which alter the form of your face. An implant-supported dental bridge can help with this issue since the implant post stimulates the jawbone.
Keep your teeth from shifting
Your teeth are secured by solid tooth roots that run beneath the gum line. They are also kept in place by neighbouring teeth. As a result of tooth loss, your remaining teeth may begin to lean toward the vacant space. The lost tooth needs to be substituted with a false tooth through dental bridge treatment to avoid tooth movement. Teeth that shift too much can become loose and risk additional tooth loss.
Who Needs a Dental Bridge?
Someone who has lost one or more teeth can benefit from having a dental bridge. The most frequent reasons for tooth loss are tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. You could have been born with missing teeth as a result of a genetic defect. However, you’ll need healthy teeth on both sides of the space to attach a dental bridge.
Dental Bridge Procedures
The abutment teeth are prepared during the first dental visit for a dental bridge. As part of the process, a layer of the enamel is removed from the teeth to make room for a dental crown to be placed over them. The dentist takes an impression of the original teeth so that the dental laboratory can make a bridge, pontic, and crown for each tooth. While the bridge is being created, your dentist will construct a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth and gums.
You will have your temporary bridge removed during your second appointment, and your new porcelain or metal bridge will be adjusted to ensure your comfort. It’s possible that more than one visit will be necessary to ensure the metal framework fits properly and that the teeth fit. It depends on the situation of every individual. If you have a fixed bridge, your dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a few weeks to make sure it fits correctly. The bridge is then permanently cemented after a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
The dental industry offers several options for treatments and care. A bridge is an option you should consider if you’re interested in improving the aesthetics of your smile and improving functionality. Bridges can be made from either metal or ceramic materials, both of which have their benefits depending on what is needed.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about dental bridges. Our team is here to provide you with a better quality of life with our dental services. We will work closely with you to create an affordable treatment plan that suits your individual needs and goals. Get in touch today by calling 08 9532 0247 Byford Smiles.
