Dental Bridges: Restoring Your Smile and Oral Health

Replacing a missing tooth is crucial not only for aesthetics but also for maintaining oral health. Missing teeth can cause adjacent teeth to shift, leading to difficulties in biting, chewing, and speaking, and can affect your jawbone and facial structure. Dental bridges are an effective solution to fill the gap left by a missing tooth and stabilize surrounding teeth. Unlike dental implants, bridges are not rooted in the jawbone but are attached to neighboring teeth.

Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional ones but are anchored by a single supporting tooth. These are ideal for areas of the mouth where a traditional bridge isn’t feasible, such as posterior regions.

A Maryland bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework bonded to adjacent teeth. This conservative option avoids reshaping the supporting teeth but is best suited for front teeth due to its lower durability compared to traditional bridges.

The process of getting a dental bridge involves several steps over multiple appointments:

• Preparation: Supporting teeth are treated, and any necessary procedures like fillings or root canals are completed.
• Reshaping: Enamel is carefully removed from the supporting teeth to accommodate crowns.
• Impression: A detailed mold is taken and sent to a dental lab for custom bridge fabrication.
• Temporary Bridge: While the permanent bridge is crafted, a temporary bridge is placed to protect the area.
• Final Placement: The permanent bridge is secured and adjusted for a precise fit.

Caring for Your Dental Bridge
With proper care, dental bridges can last over 10 years. Ensure longevity by following these steps:

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Floss daily, paying special attention to cleaning under the pontic.
• Attend regular dental cleanings and check-ups.
• Use special cleaning aids, like floss threaders or water flossers, for added hygiene.