Did your dentist recommend for you to get a dental bridge? If you are deciding on getting this procedure, you must be informed that there are low-cost dental bridges that will not break your wallet. Should this be the right procedure for you, it’s best to prepare yourself so you can manage your expectations. You must learn what to do before your procedure and what to expect during and after.
Quick Info on Dental Bridges
Dental bridges do what their name implies, which is to bridge the gap formed by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is typically composed of two or more crowns for the teeth, which is placed on either side of the gap. The anchoring teeth are called an abutment. In between them, false teeth called pontics are placed. These pontics are usually made from alloys, gold, porcelain, or a combo of these materials. Your natural teeth or dental implants will support your dental bridges.
You will not regret investing in this procedure because dental bridges have the power to restore your beautiful smile, your ability to chew, and your capacity to speak eloquently. Dental bridges will restore the proper force in your bite as they replace missing teeth. As a result, your remaining teeth will not move or drift out of position, thereby maintaining your face’s shape.
Types of Dental Bridges
Thankfully, there are many low-cost dental bridges that you can choose from to help you. There are four major kinds of dental bridges, which all come at varying prices. You can ask your dentist for a more specific breakdown, along with the pros and cons of each type to help you decide. Depending on your insurance coverage, this procedure may be covered. These three bridges are:
Traditional: Your dentist will create a crown for the tooth. He could also opt to craft an implant. These will be positioned on either side of the missing tooth. Then a pontic will be placed in between. This type of bridge is the most common. They are typically created out of ceramic or porcelain that is fused with metal.
Cantilever: This option is given to you when there are still adjacent teeth and on one side of the missing tooth. This type of bridge is ideal for the frontal part. It is typically not recommended for your back molars because they can place excessive force on your other teeth and cause damage.
Maryland Bonded: This is also known as a resin-bonded bridge, made of porcelain, porcelain fused with metal, or plastic teeth. The gums are then supported by a porcelain or metal framework. These wings are placed on one side of the dental bridge and bonded to nearby teeth.
Implant-Supported: These bridges will require the installation of implants for your missing teeth. Surgery will be done to embed the implants. After this, another procedure is then required to place the bridge.
The Process
When you visit your dentist, he will conduct a thorough dental exam. CT scans or X-rays will be made to give a clear picture of your mouth and jaw structure. Some patients will need treatment for their gums and teeth to be healthy before starting the dental bridge process.
Then the dentist will first prepare the abutment teeth by contouring the area. A portion of the enamel will be removed to allow room for your crown. Doing so will allow for easy placement of the crown over them.
Your dentist will then make impressions of your teeth and gums to serve as a model that will serve as a guide for the dental lab to craft the bridge, pontic, and crown. Fret not because your dentist will not let you leave the clinic with exposed teeth and gums. He will create a temporary bridge for the protection of these parts.
In the next couple of visits, your temporary bridge will be taken out. Your chosen porcelain or metal bridge will be put in its place. Multiple visits may be required so your dentist can check the fit of the framework and adjust your bite. It is usually dependent on the patient. After the adjustments have been made to ensure the best fit, the bridge is cemented permanently into place.
The After Care
There will be some transition period after the procedures so your mouth can get accustomed to your dental bridge. After all, this is a foreign object, and it will take some time for your mouth to accept it. But in time, you will be able to go on normally and accept this bridge as a part of your smile.
Caring for a dental bridge entails those same procedures for maintaining your natural teeth. It is vital to keep everything healthy because your bridge will depend on the solid foundation of your surrounding teeth. With proper care and hygiene habits, your dental bridge can last for more than a decade. Be vigilant about brushing twice a day, flossing all the areas, and rinsing with a mouthwash. All of these steps will mitigate the decay of your teeth and prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
On top of all these, make it a point to go for routine maintenance cleaning every six months. It will prevent tooth decay and nip cavities in the bud. Remember, when you feel that something is off, don’t wait before it is too late to visit your dentist. With proper support, you will be able to face the world with a radiant smile every day.
