Dental Bridges, just what are they?

When looking to replace missing teeth, dental brides are a very good option. These false teeth are attached to neighbouring teeth with the purpose of filling the gap cause by the original missing teeth. A false tooth is often known as a “pontic”. The teeth are bridged together with the pontic merged between two crowns acting as anchors to the teeth either side of the false tooth.

The elements of a fixed dental bridge.

A common dental bridge basically contains:

• A false tooth (Pontic) which may be made from alloys, gold, porcelain or a combination of these is used to fill the gap by replacing the missing tooth.
• Two crowns – used to hold the pontic in place by anchoring.

When are dental bridges needed?

Dental Bridges are strongly advised as a missing tooth can effect:

• A person’s bite. This comes as a result of the teeth leaning into the empty spaces and altering the way in which the lower and upper teeth bite together.
• A person’s general appearance, oral health and smile.
• The way in which a person speaks.
• Overall facial confidence.
• The actual shape of the face.
• The probability of developing gum disease or tooth decay as a result of the accumulated food in the gap.
• The amount of dental implants and/or cosmetic dentistry required.

Do missing teeth need to be replaced?

The following are all reasons as to why missing teeth should be replaced and dental implants considered:

• In order to eliminate some of the strain at either side of the missing tooth.
• To stop the bite being altered by teeth leaning into the gap of the missing tooth.
• To reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay as a result of accumulated food in the gap.

Dental bridges and their different types

Dental bridges come in three differing types:

1. Traditional fixed bridge
These are the most popular kind of dental bridge that is made of two porcelain crowns anchored between neighbouring teeth or dental implants manchester with a pontic in the middle. As the name suggests, these dental bridges are fixed in and can’t be taken out. The pontic is mostly made from porcelain fused to either metal or ceramics.

2. A Maryland bridge or resin bonded bridge
Both of these bridges are only appropriate when the teeth either side of the gap are healthy and strong or if the gap from a missing front tooth. The pontic is created by fusing plastic with metal bands bonded to neighbouring teeth with resin. As always, the fused bands are hidden from the view of others.

3. Cantilever bridges
These kinds of bridges are really made for areas of lower stress such as the lower front teeth. Cantilever bridges are needed when there is only one tooth present on a side of an empty gap, the pontic is anchored to only one (but sometimes more) adjacent teeth on one side.

Bridges, what are they made of?

There’s a variety of differing materials that Bridges can be made from such as:

• Porcelain
• Porcelain fused to metal.
• All-metal dental bridges (gold).

When fitting dental bridges, what does the treatment entail?

At the initial appointment:

• The area where the bridge is to be placed is numbed with a mild anaesthetic by the dentist.
• A small area next on the teeth either side of the space is trimmed off in preparation for the new crowns.
• An impression of the teeth is made using dental putty. Then in the lab, this is used to make the crown and the bridge.
• To protect the exposed gums and teeth, a temporary bridge is fitted.
• Using a Vita shad, the dentist can determine the correct shade for the bridge that’s being fixed. A shade is selected with the natural colour difference in your teeth and personal features all taken into account.

At the following appointment:

• The custom made bridge is fitted after the temporary bridge is taken out. The custom-made bridge is then altered, checked for size and then completely set in place.
• From time to time, it may be best to make multiple visits to ensure that all is well with the bridge and ensure it’s comfortable.
• When dealing with fixed or permanent bridges, the cement is only temporary for about 2 weeks and then later checked for its fit. After a few weeks when the fit is perfect and ideal for you, it is then cemented in place permanently.

Just how long can you expect dental bridges to last?

Given that you have have good dental hygiene and eating habits, your dental bridges can last upto 10-15 years. They under no circumstances last forever.

Guidelines on caring for your dental bridges correctly

Maintain good dental hygiene:

• In order to prevent the occurrence of bad breah, gum disease or tooth decay, it’s vital that you clean the dental bridges every single day.
• All of our dentists can provide advice and assistance with regards on how best to do this.
• The pontic or false tooth has to be thoroughly cleaned every day.
• It’s massively important that you keep the rest of your teeth healthy too. This is because they will serve as foundations for the dental bridges holding them in place.

Flossing and brushing:

• Always ensure to floss daily and brush twice a day
• In order to floss correctly, use a bridge floss threader. This is a small and flexible piece of plastic with a loop attached to one end where the floss is threaded.
• Floss using both hands, moving the floss back and forth under the bridge.
• Always make sure to floss the bridge entirely across both ends.

Eating and dietary habits:

• Straight after the bridge has been inserted, it may be best to eat softer food and food cut in to smaller parts because it can take some time for you to become completely used to the bridges.
• For good dental and general health, try your best to eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
• For more information, take a look at our preventative dentistry page.

The advantages of dental bridges

• Generally, you only require two appointments to fit a bridge.
• If you make sure to keep good dental hygiene then they can last for 10-15 years.
• Thorough having missing teeth, you your speech, bite and overall appearance can be affected. Bridges are a solution to these and other problems.

The disadvantages of dental bridges

• When in extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, teeth can sometimes become mildly more sensitive for a few weeks.
• Healthy tooth tissue from neighbouring teeth is required in order for them to be prepared.
• If you have poor hygiene then your gums and teeth may become susceptible to infection and the accumulation of bacteria as a result of the food acids.