Your smile is a valuable asset. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Dental issues can occur for various reasons, including tooth damage, decay, or loss. Unfortunately, these issues can lead to missing teeth. Without a quick solution, missing teeth can cause more dental problems.
One common solution to restore damaged or missing teeth is a dental bridge. Dental bridges can help fix tooth damage and renew your smile.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth or repair damaged ones. They consist of one or more artificial teeth that anchor to nearby natural teeth or dental implants. Bridges will restore the look of your smile. Furthermore, these restorations will help improve the function of your mouth.
Dental Bridge Types
Dental bridges come in various types, with the most common being traditional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, and Maryland bridges. Your dentist will recommend the most suitable type based on your specific case and oral health. Some bridges are better for patients with missing front teeth. Others are best for patients missing more than one tooth.
Procedure
The process of getting a dental bridge typically involves two visits to the dentist’s office. During the first visit, your dentist will prepare the anchor teeth. The dentist reshapes these teeth to ensure a proper fit for the bridge. Your dental team will take dental impressions and send them to a dental laboratory. Then, the lab will create a custom bridge.
At the second visit, your dentist will fit, adjust, and cement the bridge into place. Your dentist will also ensure that the bridge fits properly and without issue.
Caring for Your Dental Bridge
With proper care and maintenance, a dental bridge can last for many years, providing a durable solution for tooth damage. Proper care is crucial to ensure your dental bridge serves you well without causing additional tooth damage. There are several ways that you can maintain your bridge.
It is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene practices. As a result, you need to brush and floss regularly as you do with your natural teeth. However, you will also need to floss underneath your bridge. This will make sure that there is no plaque buildup underneath your restoration.
Potential Tooth Damage from Neglected Dental Bridges
While dental bridges are a reliable solution for tooth damage, neglecting proper care can lead to various issues.
While the dental bridge will not decay, your remaining teeth are vulnerable. Failing to clean around and under the bridge can result in tooth decay. Unfortunately, this can spread to neighboring teeth.
Poor oral hygiene can cause gum disease, jeopardizing the bridge’s stability and the health of adjacent teeth. Without proper care, a dental bridge can fail prematurely. This can also require costly repairs or replacements.
In extreme cases, neglecting a dental bridge’s maintenance can lead to the loss of adjacent natural teeth. This can further complicate your oral health.