A DENTAL BRIDGE IS A POPULAR, COST-EFFECTIVE, LONG-LASTING TEETH REPLACEMENT OPTION
DENTAL BRIDGES NEAR YOU IN MISSISSAUGA
A DENTAL BRIDGE IS A POPULAR TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTION WITH MANY ADVANTAGES
Dental bridges are restorative dentistry options used to close spaces between teeth and have remained as one of the most popular and cost-effective approaches for the restoration of missing teeth.
The term ‘bridge’ comes from the way this prosthetic is created and held in place. On either side of the space where the missing teeth used to be, the remaining teeth are filed down and used as mounting points for the bridge. These two mounting points are used to secure the bridge, which consists of two crowns and the prosthetic for the missing teeth.
Two styles of bridges exist, with one being able to be removed for cleaning by the patient, and the other only being removed during dental visits for cleaning by the hygienist. Another name for bridges is ‘fixed partial denture’ due to their semi-permanent nature.
Crowns and bridges are both available in a variety of materials, including metal, porcelain bonded metal, and porcelain. Porcelain crowns and bridges mimic the appearance of natural teeth nearly perfectly, the material’s translucent nature bearing a striking resemblance to enamel. Porcelain bonded metal shares this trait, though there is a risk of the porcelain chipping away from the metal. This style also occasionally has the metal base visible near the gum line.
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Dental bridges are a popular tooth replacement option (other options are dentures and dental implants) because they offer following advantages:
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Fast: Dental bridges are one of the fastest options to replace your missing teeth.
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Restore Your Chewing and Eating Function: Dental bridges effectively replace one or more of your missing teeth so that you can enjoy your favourite foods again. Dental bridges function like your natural teeth.
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Attractive: Tooth bridges are esthetically pleasing and look and feel like your natural teeth. A person looking at your teeth cannot differentiate between your bridge teeth and your natural teeth.
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Restore Your Ability to Speak Normally: Dental bridges restore your ability to speak normally. You no longer fumble when you speak.
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Maintain The Shape of Your Face: Tooth bridges helps you maintain the shape of your face and restore your smile and confidence.
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Restore Your Bite: Dental bridges keep other teeth in your mouth from changing their positions and becoming crooked. This helps you maintain your bite and avoid excessive pressure on other teeth and jaw joint pain.
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Longevity: Fixed dental bridges have a good success rate of 72% over 15 years.
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Easy To Maintain: Dental bridges do not require removal for cleaning. You need to maintain them like your natural teeth, no special maintenance is required although some extra effort is required to clean under the replacement tooth.
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Cost Effective: Dental bridges cost less than dental implants.
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DENTAL BRIDGE TYPES
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There are many dental bridge types such as fixed bridge using two supporting teeth, cantilever bridge using on one supporting tooth, implant-supported bridge using dental implants, Maryland bridge for front teeth etc.
Fixed Dental Bridge
To place a fixed bridge, your dentist uses your existing natural teeth to help hold your bridge in place. She replaces your missing tooth with an artificial tooth and cements the fixed bridge in place. This makes the bridge feel stable and very similar to your natural teeth. The she covers the supporting teeth with crowns.
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The following video explains fixed dental bridges:​​
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
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To place an implant-supported bridge, your dentist uses surgically implanted metal posts into your jawbone. These posts act like the roots of your natural teeth. She then attaches the bridge with replacement teeth mounted on a tooth-colored base to these metal posts.
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To receive implant-supported dental bridge, you need to qualify for implants. Please see dental implants section. Implants may be placed in one day or may require multiple visits depending on the existence of a previous infection, the availability of bone to hold the implant and your treatment plan.
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A key benefit of an implant-supported bridge is that it doesn’t need support from the surrounding teeth.
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The following video briefly explains implant-supported dental bridges:
Maryland Dental Bridge
Maryland dental bridge is like a fixed dental bridge. It is used only on missing front teeth. To place a fixed bridge, your dentist uses your existing natural teeth to help hold your bridge in place using a thin metal framework. The supporting teeth don’t need crowns.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
A cantilever dental bridge is like a fixed dental bridge except it is anchored to only one tooth instead of two teeth because a second tooth is available to support it. As a result, it is weaker than a fixed dental bridge and not used in the back of your mouth where chewing pressure may be more than what this type of dental bridge can withstand.
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IS A DENTAL BRIDGE GOOD OPTION FOR ME TO REPLACE MY MISSING TEETH?
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Talk to your dentist at Dunwin Dental to check if a dental bridge is a good option to replace your missing teeth. She can recommend the type of bridge and the materials that are best for you based on your specific needs.​​​​
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THE DENTAL BRIDGE TREATMENT PROCESS AND WHAT TO EXPECT
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1st Appointment
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During your first visit at our dental office, we will be taking pictures of the area for assessment to determine the right shape and color for your tooth.
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You will consult with one of our dentists about your aesthetic goals.
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We will administer local anesthesia around the surrounding teeth to prepare for your dental bridge, and a temporary bridge will be placed for protection while the bridge framework is being created by our dental lab.
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2nd Appointment
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We will remove the temporary bridge and try on the framework to make it is functioning properly. We will make sure it is comfortable for you at this time.
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A new impression will be taken and sent back to our dental lab for the final ceramic application.
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Final Appointment
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The final ceramic bridge will be bonded into place, and we will check at this time for function and aesthetics.
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CARING FOR YOUR DENTAL BRIDGE
Proper care will ensure that your dental bridge lasts a long time. With proper care, these can last over 25 years.
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Schedule regular dentist exams (every 6 months)
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Proper dental hygiene
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Yearly dental X-ray to ensure bridge health
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Always clean between the teeth and around the bridge.
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If you have lost one or more of your teeth, please contact our dental office in Mississauga to discuss with a dentist whether a dental bridge is a good time-tested option for you.