Dental Bridge

Everyone wants to smile with ease and beauty. In addition to bleaching and veneers, crowns and bridges also help achieve a free and aesthetic smile with orthodontic treatments.

How does a dental bridge work?

If several teeth are damaged or unsightly gaps disfigure the dentition and place strain on the other teeth, they should be replaced either with a bridge or a series of crowns. A bridge is a dental structure that uses two or more remaining teeth or tooth roots as anchors, connecting them. Bridges are usually recommended by dentists when only a few teeth need to be replaced and sufficient strong teeth with good bone support are available. Sometimes, some missing teeth can be replaced with implants.

Goals of Dental Bridges

Because of missing teeth, food can accumulate in the gap, which can impair oral health, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Dental bridges improve chewing and speech.

Materials for Dental Bridges

Depending on the patient’s preference, bridges can be made of porcelain with metal, all-porcelain, or zirconium. A bridge made of porcelain with metal may be the best choice for molars because it is harder. Additionally, bridges made of all-porcelain or zirconium can be very good choices for incisors. For the front teeth, not only restoring functionality but also aesthetics is just as important.

Preparation and Treatment Procedure

1. At your first visit, your x-ray will be taken, and the dentist will identify your dental problems and examine the tooth roots.
2. The prerequisites for dental bridge treatment are healthy gums and intact jawbone. If the teeth are severely damaged or there is a risk of infection, the entire enamel covering of the two supporting teeth should first be removed and ground down to a hard tooth stump. This creates space for the dental bridge.
3. After reshaping these abutment teeth, the dentist will take an impression of the prepared teeth using modeling clay. The dentist should ensure that the bridge does not affect the bite. At the same time, the dentist and the patient determine the shade that most closely matches the color of the neighboring teeth.
4. In the dental laboratory, the dental technician creates a model of the tooth impression, and the bridge is fabricated on this model.
5. At the second and possibly third appointment, the fabricated dental bridge is checked and bonded very precisely in the correct position to completely cover and protect the missing or damaged teeth.
6. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia, and it generally takes one week for the dental bridge to be fully anchored in the jaw.

The Risks of Bridge Treatment and Aftercare

Due to pre-existing dental conditions, gum inflammation can occur, particularly under the abutment teeth. The additional stress caused by the bridge could lead to premature tooth loss. To prevent this, the dentist may sometimes require gum treatment and/or jaw bone augmentation prior to dental bridge treatment. By choosing a specialized and professional dentist, these common problems can be minimized and prevented.

After bridge treatment, you should brush your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist regularly for life. You should also take good care of your teeth underneath the bridge to prevent problems like bad breath and gum disease. With proper care and oral hygiene, a bridge will last for years.