5 Things To Know Before Considering a Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are artificial teeth fused and arranged to replace missing or damaged teeth. Usually, the bridge would replace missing teeth between two or more teeth. However, dental bridges can be an alternative to removing damaged teeth depending on missing teeth.
Dental bridges depend on the strength of the surrounding teeth for support. First, it is advisable that you talk to your dentist in Fort Valley, have an X-ray taken, and have your teeth assessed to know whether having a dental bridge would be the appropriate treatment for you. One of the facial features that everyone should care about is the teeth. Your teeth have a way of contributing to how good-looking you are, so if you have a missing tooth, you might need to get a dental bridge.
Below are a few things to know before considering a dental bridge.
- Bridges have three types: Traditional bridge, Cantilever bridge, and Maryland bonded bridge. The traditional bridge is the most popular dental bridge made of ceramic or porcelain fused to metal. It involves creating a dental crown or implant on either side of the missing tooth with a Pontic between them. The cantilever bridge is used when the patient has healthy teeth on one side of the missing tooth where the bridge is positioned. The procedure requires anchoring the artificial tooth over the adjacent natural teeth. Lastly, the Maryland bonded bridge consists of a porcelain tooth in a metal framework attached to the porcelain or metal wings bonded to the existing teeth.
- It’s hard to keep clean: Getting a dental bridge is inexpensive, and it is also a faster process to solve your teeth issues. It takes about two weeks; the first appointment is to see a dentist near you and get preparation started, while the next appointment is for the segmentation. However, you might have trouble keeping your dental bridge clean. You will not be able to floss between teeth if the bridge is joined to both sides of the teeth. You can use a soft-bristled brush or proxy to clean the bridge. You can also use selected floss designed to clean around bridges. It would help if you also visited your dentist regularly to know when something is wrong.
- Implant bridge and dental bridge: Before making any decision regarding your teeth, it is essential to contact a dentist near you. Your dentist knows better than you do and is in a better position to let you know whether you need an implant bridge or a dental bridge. Dental implants are titanium roots implanted into the gum to keep an artificial tooth. Before a person can get an implant bridge, they must have sufficient strong bone tissue in the mouth to secure the titanium implants. However, if your bone tissues are not strong enough, you might have to opt for the Dental bridge. Besides, dental implants are riskier than artificial bridges.
- It doesn’t last forever: Getting a dental bridge can be complicated, but it is ultimately necessary to prevent further tooth pain and damage. A typical dental bridge would last between 5-15 years. Excellent oral hygiene can also contribute to how long your dental bridge lasts. Crowns and bridges can last more than a decade in the most skillfully performed procedure with the highest quality materials. However, with the proper care techniques, some crowns and bridges can last a lifetime.
- Change of diet: After installing a dental bridge, you will have to change your diet. Some of the food you used to eat before getting your bridge has to be avoided because it can damage your bridge or cause problems to your abutment teeth. Some of the foods you should avoid include nuts, popcorn, hard snacks or candy, etc. You need to avoid food or junk that can pull off the crown of the teeth beneath the dental bridge.
Visit us at Whitaker Family Dentistry for quality and durable dental crown treatment today.