A bridge, similar to a crown & may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. A dental bridges consists of multiple crowns including an artifical tooth joined together which are then anchored onto the healthy teeth on either sides of the gap spanning and closing the empty space. Created by the missing tooth / teeth. Teeth need each other to stay in appropriate positions, so when one tooth is missing, the opposing and neighbouring teeth begin to move out of position which can lead to a misaligned bite, difficulty with chewing, problems with joints (TMJ), an increased risk of tooth decay as well as gum disease.
Bridges are much-required pieces of dental restorations; statistics show that 69% of adults aged between 35 and 44 have at least one tooth missing and although replacing an absent tooth may seem like a cosmetic concern, just one missing tooth can have a severely negative effect both on your dental health, your appearance & self esteem.
Like crowns, bridges are designed to fit within the aesthetic of the rest of the mouth, matching in colour and shape.
Reasons for a bridge include;
- Fill space of empty teeth
- Maintain facial shape & structure
- Prevent remaining teeth from separating further
- Restore chewing & speaking ability
- To bridge areas of bone loss making implants not possible
- To support weak , decayed & damaged teeth
- To restore a smile
Dental implants may also be used to support a bridge. İmplants are posts that are surgically placed into the jaw & the bone will hold the implants inplace, then the bridge does not need the support from the surrounding teeth.
How is a dental brdge performed?
Your teeth will be prepared on either side of the space for the false tooth. You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area, and the cosmetic dentist will remove a portion of te enamel area of each abutment (teeth on either side of the space) to accommodate for the thickness of the crown. When these teeth already have fillings, part of the filling may be left in place to help as a foundation for the crown.
The dentist will then make an impression, which will serve as the model from which the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory. A temporary bridge will be placed for you to
wear while your bridge is being made until your next visit. This temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and gums.
On your second appointment, the temporary bridge will be removed. Your new permanent bridge will be fitted, checked and adjusted. Your new bridge will then be cemented to your teeth and you will be able to go home.
Dental crowns and bridges are used to repair teeth if they are damaged, or to replace gaps in between teeth & can be made from different materials depending on their purpose. For example, if the aim is improving the appearance of a smile, then a material will be chosen which can make the
crown or bridge look natural within your mouth, such as porcelain or ceramic.
İf strength & support is the primary feature of a crown or bridge. Then the material chosen will combine both strength and aesthetics therefore the more common material used for bridges are porcelain, ceramic with metal alloys, the material to be used can be left to a dental professional who will know what can work most effectively for your teeth.
