A dental bridge is a common dental treatment to replace one or several missing teeth. The typical bridge is constructed by two or more dental crowns on both sides of the gap. These crowns serve as anchors or abutments for the bridge. These abutments are united in the middle with the replacement tooth, known as the pontic. If you are considering replacing a missing tooth, here are several things to know about bridges.
To find out what we can do to get you the dental bridge you need schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry.
Why Do I Need A Dental Bridge?
You can have one or more missing teeth for several reasons. These include severe tooth decay, advanced gum disease, trauma, or genetic conditions that cause some teeth not to develop. If you are missing a tooth, it is usually important to replace missing teeth to avoid several problems, such as:
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Diminished chewing. One missing tooth can affect your chewing efficiency and prevent you from eating certain foods. This can result in poor nutrition that impacts your overall health.
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Shifting teeth. The contact with adjacent and opposing teeth holds teeth in their proper position. When you lose a tooth, your teeth begin to move and change how your teeth bite together.
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Appearance changes. Your teeth play a vital role in supporting the muscles of your face. A missing tooth can lead to sagging muscles and a drooping mouth. This results in appearing older than your actual age.
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TMJ disorder. Missing teeth can cause bite changes that may contribute to grinding your teeth. When you grind your teeth, you increase the risk of developing TMJ problems and symptoms such as headaches and excessively worn and fractured teeth.
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Complicated treatment. When you replace a missing tooth as soon as possible, you often avoid complicating changes to your teeth and gums. These complications can make future treatment more difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.
What Are The Types Of Dental Bridges?
We consider many factors before recommending the best type of bridge to replace one or more missing teeth for you. The most common types of bridges include:
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Traditional bridges. This is the most widely used bridge that has a long history of successful treatments. This bridge utilizes crowns placed on your natural teeth on both sides of the space created by the missing tooth.
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Implant-supported bridges. These bridges are becoming more popular due to the improvements in implants. Implants support these bridges instead of natural teeth.
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Maryland bridges. The Maryland bridge’s replacement tooth attaches to the adjacent teeth with a metal framework placed on the backside of each tooth.
How Should You Care For A Dental Bridge?
Once you have your bridge placed, you can take several steps to keep it looking and functioning well for years to come. These steps include:
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Brush your teeth twice each day. Plaque accumulates quickly on your teeth and bridge. Plaque requires removal daily to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. Brush twice every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
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Floss each day. The supporting teeth or implants need flossing to remove plaque between teeth and below the gumline.
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Clean beneath the bridge. You need to add this one extra step to your daily oral hygiene routine. Fortunately, there are several devices, such as floss threaders, interproximal brushes, and dental picks to keep your bridge clean.
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Have regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning. This is important for everyone but especially if you have a dental bridge. This is essential to prevent tooth decay and gum disease which, can shorten the lifespan of your bridge.
Schedule An Appointment
If you have one or more missing teeth, we can recommend the best option for you. We take many factors into account before we decide on the best treatment plan. Call us today and schedule an appointment for an evaluation.