A dental bridge is a
false tooth, known as a pontic, which is fused between two porcelain
crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two
crowns holding it in place that are attached onto your teeth
on each side of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge.
This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might
do with removable partial dentures.
In areas of your mouth
that are under less stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever
bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used when there are
teeth on only one side of the open space. Bridges can reduce
your risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues and
even improve your speech. Bridges require your commitment to
serious oral hygiene, but will last as many ten years or more.
If you have missing teeth
and have good oral hygiene practices, you should discuss this
procedure with Dr Phillip F. Ajaje. If spaces are left unfilled,
they may cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position.
Additionally, spaces from missing teeth can cause your other
teeth and your gums to become far more susceptible to tooth
decay and gum disease.
If you have a space from
a missing tooth, a bridge will be custom made to fill in the
space with a false tooth. The false tooth is attached by the
bridge to the two other teeth around the space - bridging them
together.
Dr Phillip F. Ajaje will
prepare your teeth on either side of the space for the false
tooth. You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area,
and the cosmetic dentist will remove the an area of each abutment
(teeth on either side of the space) to accommodate for the thickness
of the crown. When these teeth already have fillings, part of
the filling may be left in place to help as a foundation for
the crown.
The dentist will then
make an impression, which will serve as the model from which
the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental
laboratory. A temporary bridge will be placed for you to wear
while your bridge is being made until your next visit. This
temporary bridge will serve to protect your teeth and gums.
Your cosmetic dentist
may have you use a Flipper appliance. A Flipper is a false tooth
to temporarily take the place of a missing tooth before the
permanent bridge is placed. A Flipper can be attached via either
a wire or a plastic piece that fits in the roof of your mouth.
Flippers are meant to be a temporary solution while awaiting
the permanent bridge.
On your second appointment,
the temporary bridge will be removed. Your new permanent bridge
will be fitted and checked and adjusted for any bite discrepancies.
Your new bridge will then be cemented to your teeth.
A dental bridge is a
false tooth, known as a potic, which is fused between two porcelain
crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. There two
crowns holding it in place that are attached onto your teeth
on each side of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge.
This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might
do with removable partial dentures.
Resin Bonded
Bridges
The resin bonded is primarily
used for your front teeth. Less expensive, this bridge is best
used when the abutment teeth are healthy and don't have large
fillings. The false tooth is fused to metal bands that are bonded
to the abutment teeth with a resin which is hidden from view.
This type of bridge reduces the amount of preparation on the
adjacent teeth.
Cantilever Bridges
In areas of your mouth
that are under less stress, such as your front teeth, a cantilever
bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used when there are
teeth on only one side of the open space. This procedure involves
anchoring the false tooth to one side over one or more natural
and adjacent teeth.
Advantages of
dental bridges:
Bridges are natural in appearance, and usually require only
two visits to your dentist. If you maintain good oral hygiene,
your fixed bridge should last as many as ten years or more.
Disadvantages
of having a dental bridge:
It is common for your teeth to be mildly sensitive to extreme
temperatures for a few weeks after the treatment. The build
up of bacteria formed from food acids on your teeth and gums
can become infected if proper oral hygiene is not followed.
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