Why should I replace missing teeth?
Gaps in your teeth give you an unaesthetic look and affect your appearance as well as your personality. (Imagine Brad Pitt with one of his front tooth missing??! Horrifying!!!) Not only that, missing teeth also affect your speech and bite.
Missing teeth cause an imbalance in the forces exerted on your teeth and gums while chewing which causes inadvertent stresses weakening your gums.
Imagine, if we remove one of the 4 legs of a chair, the chair might keep standing but is bound to collapse anytime as a continual load on it weakens the other sound legs of the chair after repeated use. Hence, it is essential to get your missing teeth replaced by fixed or removable prosthesis of your choosing, to improve your appearance as well as safeguard the rest of your teeth.
How does a dental bridge replace my teeth?
A dental bridge replaces your missing tooth/ teeth with the help of a fake tooth( termed as “pontic”) which is attached to two or more crowns, specially customized to fit your adjacent sound natural teeth (termed as “abutment”). Just as the name suggests the middle part replacing the teeth by filling its gap, is anchored to the fixed crowns which act as the pillars just like those in a real bridge.
They are fabricated in laboratory customized to exactly match your natural teeth and are fixed by the dental professional.
Are dental bridges a good idea?
Though there are several treatment options available, bridges are most commonly preferred as they are aesthetically pleasing, mimic a real tooth and comfortable. They provide more stability than dentures, are fixed in place, and are affordable while giving you a natural look.
Two appointments are required for the procedure, in which your dentist prepares the natural teeth for receiving the crowns in the first visit and fixes the bridge(which is made in a lab) in the second visit.
Are dental bridges a permanent option?
Dental bridges can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, some patients can use the bridges even for decades!!
But their durability depends on a lot of factors like proper care, health conditions, location of the bridges, and the materials used to fabricate them. Alternatively, you can choose to go for implants, which are considered to be a more permanent treatment option.
Do dental bridges look natural?
Dental bridges today are fabricated with superior materials, great precision and detail to shade-matching, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth !! If taken proper care, they can last for a long time while letting you speak and eat comfortably, without any hassle.
What will a bridge cost?
The cost of a bridge depends on the number of units, material it is made of and the area among other factors. Your dental professional can provide you with an estimate of the cost incurred.
Can I eat normally with a dental bridge?
Bridges feel natural hence, they can be and should be used to eat normally. But hard foods like nuts, bone, candies, etc. must be avoided as they may cause damage to the bridge. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid sticky foods like gums, caramel, etc. to protect your natural teeth from cavities.
How many teeth can be on a bridge?
A bridge can replace one to several teeth depending on the number of sound teeth available for support and aesthetic requirements of the patient. In case of multiple missing teeth, implants can be placed strategically for extra support and strength to the entire bridge prolonging its durability.
What Should I Expect at My Dental Bridge Appointment?
The procedure of dental bridge generally takes 2 appointments(rarely 3 appointments, if a trial is required). On your first appointment, your dentist will prepare the adjacent/abutment teeth similar to the procedure of getting a single crown, where in a minimal amount of tooth structure will be reduced and shaped in order to make space for the bridge to attach snugly. Impressions of your teeth will be taken and the shades noted to match with your final bridge. Your dentist might also give you a temporary bridge to wear in between appointments.
At your second appointment, which could be a week or two after the first, your dentist will replace your temporary bridge with a permanent bridge fabricated in the laboratory.
How is a dental bridge attached?
The dental bridge is attached to your sound teeth using dental cements and are fixed in place firmly without any chances of getting dislodged. The bridge cannot be removed, except by a dentist using specialized equipment designed for removal.
Why does my dental bridge smell and how to take care of my bridge?
It is common to experience a specific smell immediately after the procedure of dental bridge which goes away soon. An ill-fitting bridge could leave gaps beneath it, for food to get caught due to poor oral hygiene and cause bad smell due to bacterial action. To avoid this, proper care must be taken by regular brushing and flossing to clean in between your teeth as well as under the bridge.
How do I clean under a dental bridge?
Since it is tough to clean a bridge, as the floss cannot pass through between the units of the bridge, a floss threader, super floss or inter-dental brush can be used to clean under it.
Pass the floss through space beneath the bridge(i.e. between the gum and the bridge). Use gentle cleaning motion to dislodge the plaque under the base of the bridge and on the adjacent surface of natural teeth.
Water flosser or oral irrigators can also be used.
Are there other methods for fixing false teeth?
There are numerous options available for replacement of missing teeth. They are mainly categorized under removable and fixed prosthesis.
Under removable prosthesis you can get dentures made which are made of acrylic or cast metal and can be removed and worn at convenience. These are not as stable and aesthetic as bridges, but a cheaper alternative.
Apart from bridges, you can opt for implants which are fixed alternative as they are surgically inserted with screws inside the jaw bone. Even though they require a longer duration and are more expensive, implants are permanent and superior in terms of aesthetics than bridges.
