What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a replacement for a missing tooth. If you have an open space where you had a tooth or you'd like a tooth, and there's a tooth on the front side of that and a tooth on the back side of it, a bridge sits on those two anchors, and it replaces the missing tooth in the center.
What's the difference between a bridge and dentures?
The main difference is that a bridge stays in, and dentures are removable. A bridge is glued in place and feels natural, like a part of you. It is a lower-maintenance option.
What are the pros and cons of denture bridges?
The nice part about a bridge is it's set. You can't lose it. You can't forget it. It's glued in place. However, the drawback is that the bridge needs to sit on the tooth in front and the tooth behind, which requires some drilling or grinding on those teeth.
What are the different types of denture bridges?
You could have a bridge made out of a metal structure with porcelain on the front of it, which is considered a little more old-fashioned. There are also newer bridges that are all white color and don't have any metal in them.
What is a removable dental bridge versus a tooth fixed dental bridge?
A removable dental bridge is an appliance that pops in and moves and shifts, trapping food underneath it and putting wear and tear on the neighboring teeth. A fixed bridge, however, is stable, sits in place, and can't be lost or forgotten.
What is a cantilever dental bridge?
A cantilever bridge is a bridge with one side. It only has one anchor. We can build these in some cases around your teeth, sometimes in the front, and sometimes for your smaller teeth.
What are the benefits of a bridge?
A bridge replaces your missing tooth. It improves your appearance, allows you to chew, and prevents food from escaping. It can also prevent your teeth from shifting and your bite from becoming unbalanced.
How can a dental bridge help those with gum disease?
A bridge can replace a missing tooth lost due to gum disease, but it still has to anchor on the neighboring teeth. If those teeth are compromised by bone loss, you might not want to use them as anchors.
Is dental bridge work painful?
The process of getting a bridge is not more painful than a regular dental appointment. We use anesthesia and numbing to keep you comfortable.
What does the dental bridge placement procedure involve?
The procedure involves getting the teeth on either side ready to hold the bridge. The teeth need to have their shape changed in order to fit the bridge over the surface of it.
How long does a dental bridge last?
It's not unreasonable to expect your bridge to last 10 or 15 years.
How should I care for my dental bridge?
You need to clean around the bridge and underneath the bridge. They make little bristle brushes and special kinds of floss for you to clean underneath your bridge and in between those two anchor teeth.
When should I schedule an appointment for a dental bridge?
If you have a tooth that isn't doing so good, the time is now to think about if you want a bridge or an implant. Don't wait until it's an emergency to make a decision.