Wherever in your mouth you’ve lost your tooth, the impact is big. A gap in your teeth makes biting and chewing difficult and can ruin the confidence you have in your smile. Also, the loss of one or more teeth can have an effect on the rest of your teeth as they may all move.
Dental bridges are a popular solution for filling the gap left after you lose a tooth. Once in place, a bridge restores the look and feel of your teeth and their function.
There are other options for replacing your teeth, so before deciding, you may wonder how dental bridges work and how they are placed.
Let’s discuss the treatment, benefits, and types of dental bridges we use to fix your smile.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are prosthetics that replace damaged or missing teeth. A bridge is usually made up of a complete replacement tooth called a pontic joined to dental crowns. The crowns are then placed onto the adjacent healthy teeth.
So they blend in perfectly, dental bridges are made from tooth-coloured porcelain.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge looks like the real thing. Every bridge we place is custom-made and carefully crafted. We match the colour and shape of your existing teeth to provide a seamless result. For many, dental bridges restore damaged self-esteem helping you feel good about your smile.
Losing teeth often means a change in diet. Some foods become more challenging to eat. Once fitted, your bridge will allow you to chew and bite as usual.
The bridge replaces your missing teeth. As lost teeth can cause dental drift, bridging the gap will stop any tooth movement.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are several types of dental bridges. We’ll assess your teeth to decide which is the best option. These are the most common:
Traditional Fixed Bridge
This type of bridge is perhaps the most commonly used. The replacement tooth, or ‘pontic’, is supported on both sides by crowns. The crowns are both firmly attached to healthy teeth.
Cantilever Bridge
Sometimes, we can’t attach a crown to the teeth on either side of the gap. In these instances, we’ll place a cantilever bridge. This type of bridge isn’t used often and is supported by just one crown.
Maryland Bridge
A Maryland bridge doesn’t use crowns. This type of bridge uses metal wings bonded behind the neighbouring teeth. This type of bridge is subtle and is often used on the more prominent front teeth.
How Do We Place Dental Bridges?
The exact dental bridge placement procedure will vary depending on the type of bridge used. Our first step will be to assess your teeth to plan your treatment. We’ll place your bridge in stages, providing anaesthetic to improve comfort.
For bridges with crowns attached, we’ll need to remove a small portion of each tooth. This creates space for the crown. We’ll take impressions from your mouth so that the bridge can be made to measure.
While the lab is creating your custom bridge, you’ll have a temporary restoration. Although a short-term fix, this will look good and allow you to eat normally.
Once your bridge is ready, we’ll get you to come back in, and we’ll place it.
What Are the Alternatives to Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are a great option. Other options for replacing missing teeth include dental implants and dentures.
Dental Bridges In Nottingham
Dental bridges are a life-changing treatment used for replacing missing and damaged teeth. We’ve restored countless smiles using life-like, hard-wearing bridges.
Call today to schedule your consultation.
