What is a dental bridge? And when is resort to this type of medical procedure? What are the problems that a dental bridge may cause? The most important information and details can be found here.
There are many cases that may require resorting to the installation of a dental bridge of various types, so let us learn more about the dental bridge as follows:
What is a dental bridge?
It is a template that is designed from special materials in the form of complete, continuous teeth, in order to fill some empty places in the teeth.
It is usually installed by attaching it in a special way to the original teeth adjacent to it in the jaw, and it is usually made of materials, such as: porcelain, to simulate the appearance of natural teeth in the mouth.
Types of dental bridge
There are several different types and here are some of them
1. Traditional Dental Bridge
In this type, a mold is made in the form of one or more teeth, and it is installed in the empty area of the gums by attaching it tightly to the adjacent teeth on both sides, which are called the supporting teeth.
2. Maryland dental bridge
In this type, what looks like back wings are made on both sides of the artificial teeth, and then the bridge is fixed in place by fixing these wings well behind the teeth surrounding both sides of the bridge.
3. Cantilever bridges
Here, the new artificial teeth are installed only on the only tooth adjacent to the bridge, as this type of bridge is installed in an area where the missing tooth is extreme and only one natural tooth is adjacent to it.
Situations that require the installation of a bridge
It is usually used to replace a tooth or a group of missing teeth as an native to dental implants, in order to achieve the following purposes:
Restore the ability to chew food normally.
Maintaining the distances between the teeth, and improving the appearance of the face and jaws.
Restore the ability to pronounce letters properly and speak without problems or difficulties.
Get a healthy and beautiful smile.
Protect the remaining teeth in the mouth, and improve the shape of the occlusal or bite.
Bridge installation steps
It usually takes only two visits to the dentist to successfully install a dental bridge, and this is what you should expect when undergoing this type of cosmetic medical procedure:
Preparing the natural teeth surrounding the dental bridge area for the process of installing the bridge, and this includes filing the teeth and placing temporary crowns on them pending the manufacture of permanent crowns that will fix the bridge in its place.
Installing the bridge with the new dental crowns attached to it and fixing it in place with special materials at the next visit, then the doctor makes sure that the patient’s bite is appropriate and that the teeth are not too high for him.
The possibility of requiring several subsequent visits to adjust the bite, and to ensure that the teeth of the jaws fit together in an appropriate and comfortable manner.
After installing the bridge
After the bridge is installed, the patient is expected to feel the following
General discomfort in the mouth.
Swelling and tenderness of the gums in the area around the bridge.
Minor bleeding in the gums.
Advantages of a dental bridge
It may be chosen and preferred over some other procedures, such as dental implants, for the following reasons:
The lightness is what makes the patient feel comfortable while chewing without any discomfort.
It doesn''t take long for a person to get used to it.
Relatively quick process, in most cases it takes no more than two visits for the entire bridge to be installed.
The possibility of it lasting for a long time in the mouth if the rules of personal hygiene are followed strictly and without neglect.
Possible problems
Its installation is not without some negatives and potential problems, the most important of which are:
Additional pressure on the adjacent supporting teeth, which may cause some problems with time, especially if the bridge is a little long or if it is peripheral and rests on only one tooth.
Installing a dental bridge means that you have to file the adjacent teeth to install new dental crowns, which means that you will necessarily lose part of your healthy teeth irreversibly.
Major problems in the nerve of the supporting tooth, which may appear with time after its installation.
The need to replace the current dental bridge, and install a new one every 5-15 years, depending on the condition of the teeth and the patient’s commitment to brushing his teeth well.
Decay in adjacent teeth, especially when the necessary cleaning and care rules are not followed.
The possibility of the bridge dislocating from its place and slipping, and here it may be necessary to double support the bridge or even dental implants.
Infections, pus and gum problems in the area around the bridge or just under the bridge.
