What Are Dental Bridges and Why May You Need Them
Dental bridges are fixed permanent restorations to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth. Bridges replicate the appearance, shape, and functionality of metal teeth. Bridges are customized for every patient.
The Fairfax dentist recommends dental bridges if you already have existing natural teeth neighboring the gap of the missing tooth. In addition, they may recommend a dental bridge if you cannot get dental implants for any reason.
You may need dental bridges if you have lost a tooth due to extraction, trauma or injury, medications, age, or periodontal disease. Seventy percent of adults between 35 and 44 have lost at least one tooth to gum disease, injury, tooth decay, and a failed root canal.
Are Dental Bridges the Only Choice for Reinstating Missing Teeth?
If you consider replacing missing teeth, you have three options available to achieve your goal. Besides, dental bridges you also have the time-tested dentures fitting temporarily over your gums and serving their purpose of giving you artificial teeth. However, despite being used for over a century, dentures are not the most favored dental replacements because they are uncomfortable and can slip when eating or talking.
If you want an incredibly durable replacement option for the missing tooth or teeth, consider having dental implants that replace the lost tooth and your tooth roots. Dental implants appear and feel like your natural teeth after the titanium post is surgically embedded into the jawbone and left to heal for around three to nine months. The procedure for getting implants intensive besides being expensive.
Dental bridges are the only option other than dentures and implants to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth.
Various Types of Dental Bridges Available for Your Requirements
If recommended dental bridges by the dentist in Fairfax, don’t concern yourself about which type of bridges you can have. Dental bridges are available in four varieties, and you can choose one among them depending on your specific case.
Traditional dental bridges are suitable to restore your posterior teeth like premolars and molars. This variety is the most common and is made from porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, or all metal like gold. Traditional bridges have a fake tooth called the Pontic held by dental crowns on the supporting teeth beside the gap of the missing tooth.
If you have just one supporting tooth next to the gap, you can have a cantilever dental bridge held by a dental crown placed on top of the healthy tooth neighboring the gap.
You can have a Maryland bridge if you need restoration for your front teeth. Maryland bridges are less invasive than traditional bridges consisting of a fake tooth supported by a metal framework. Porcelain helps make Maryland bridges that are bonded to the supporting teeth.
If you want a durable option as a replacement, you can opt for implant-supported dental bridges. Implant-supported bridges are standalone replacements with porcelain crowns on top to replace the missing tooth or teeth.
You don’t have to worry about which type of bridges you can have so long as you are prepared for the procedure to have replacements for your missing teeth.
The Procedure When Getting Dental Bridges
The dental bridge procedure is separated into two appointments.
The first visit is exclusively for preparing your teeth and the temporary bridge. You receive local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable during the preproduction process. After that, the dentist in Fairfax, VA, shapes, and files the supporting teeth. The abutment teeth are prepared for accommodating dental crowns and require extensive tooth structure removal past the enamel. After preparing your teeth, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth and mouth for the dental laboratory to fabricate your crown and bridge. Finally, the Fairfax dentist places a temporary bridge on the prepared teeth and the gap between them.
You must revisit the dentist in about three weeks when the dental lab returns your permanent dental bridge. Initially, the dentist removes the temporary bridge and cleans your teeth. The dentist also takes x-rays to ensure the bridge fits correctly. Finally, the bridge and teeth are cemented together using a unique bonding agent.
After-Care for Dental Bridges
You must maintain excellent dental hygiene after you get dental bridges placed in your mouth. You must exercise caution with the dental bridge using appropriate techniques to clean the area where the Pontic rests on the gums. The particular space is challenging to clean and can result in plaque buildup leading to gum disease.
You must rinse your mouth with mouthwash, brush at least twice a day and use special tools to floss beneath the bridge. These steps help reduce inflammation and prevent cavities on the edges of the bridges.
Replacing a lost tooth or teeth is no longer challenging because many options are available to help you restore your mouth’s functionality and smile. Book an appointment with Fairfax Dentist. We also serve nearby areas like Idylwood, Merrifield, Falls Church, Pine Ridge, Cottage Street, & Hideaway Road.