Dental Health and Bridges

If you are experiencing gaps in the mouth where you have had teeth removed and have considered bridges. You may be opting for the right procedure! Bridges can quite literally bridge (as the name would indicate) gaps in the mouth that are made from one or more than one missing teeth. In short, bridges are false teeth that are referred to as abutment teeth in the dental world. It is a terminology that is used to describe synthetic teeth that fit in-between natural ones.

When you get bridges there are a lot of benefits. They are able to restore your former smile, allowing you to be able to have better quality of chewing and talking. Your face shape will be better, and they can help to put a stop to your teeth that are left from being able to fall out of place. In the UK 40 is a common age for people to start to have to remove teeth. It is not uncommon for the younger generation to have a tooth missing either.

The Varieties of Bridges

You can get traditional ones that mean your dental technician will make a crown for your tooth, or teeth, then implanting on each side of your missing tooth. He or she will then add a pontic in-between. The more traditional type of bridges are made from metal that has been fused, ceramic material, or of course more commonly, porcelain.

Maryland Bonded Bridges- They are also known to dental professionals as resin bonded bridges. Made from porcelain, or plastic, that has been supported with a porcelain or metal frame. With Maryland bonded bridges the porcelain wings and metal are commonly on the sides of just one of the bridge, and the rest is then stuck to your already existing teeth.

Cantilever Bridges- Used by dental staff when you have adjacent teeth and can only be utilised on one side of the teeth or tooth that is no longer there. They are very uncommon now with modern technology and if you have missing teeth at the back of the mouth it is not recommended to opt for this type of bridge as it pressurises your already existing teeth.

When you go to see your dentist for getting a bridge, the teeth will be prepared in advance. This involves your dentist having to recon tour your teeth by taking out a piece of enamel, in order to ensure that a crown can be fixed over them. Then, you will have impressions of your teeth taken. The impressions are what the dental lab staff will use to make your bridges. Usually, a temporary bridge will be made in order to ensure that your teeth and gums are protected whilst your bridges are being made.

You will then have an appointment where your temporary bridge will be taken out, and the newer metal bridge or porcelain one will be fitted, making sure that you get the desired result. It is important that you have further checkups in order to make sure that your bite is top notch, and that the metal framework is fixed into place correctly. Sometimes for a few weeks dentists prefer to use temporary cement, until it is clear that the bridges are comfy, and then you will have the permanent cement added to fix them permanently.
The life span of bridges can vary. The expected lifespan is 10 years, but some have managed to keep them for up to 15. So, why not make a call to Vitasmile today and arrange an appointment to be able to have bridges?