Trauma or injury to the mouth is something no one ever expects to happen, and it can be incredibly challenging. Firstly, it can affect the aesthetics of your teeth and hinder you from flaunting your smile. It can also impact your ability to eat, speak, and maintain overall oral health.
The good news is modern dentistry has now created many solutions to address those problems—bridge dental treatment. Now, what do we know about this type of oral restoration? Let’s talk about it bit by bit.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. As the name implies, it “bridges” the gap that’s caused by missing teeth. It uses artificial teeth, called pontics, that are anchored by crowns on adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
Basically, this restoration brings back your smile and restores the important functions of your teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges
Understanding the four different types of dental bridges can help you choose the best option for your needs:
- Traditional Dental Bridges: These are the usual and most common type of bridge that uses crowns on both sides of the gap to hold the pontics in place.
- Cantilever Bridges: This type uses only one connector tooth to support the artificial one. It’s typically used when there’s only one healthy tooth next to the gap.
- Maryland Bridges: These are also known as resin-bonded bridges. It is made with the use of a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of the neighbouring teeth.
- Implant-Supported Bridges: These bridges are held together by dental implants instead of crowns to bring stability and longevity.
The Benefits of Dental Bridge Services to Restore Lost Teeth
Bridge dental treatments offer a wide range of benefits apart from just restoring the appearance of your teeth. For those who have lost teeth due to trauma, check out the benefits you can get from dental bridges:
Restores Oral Function
Have you experienced having missing teeth or just a tooth? When you have missing teeth, it can make it difficult for you to chew properly—and makes it harder for the food to digest. With the help of a bridge, it restores the chewing surface and allows you to enjoy your favourite meals comfortably and efficiently.
Improves Speech
Gaps in your teeth make it hard to pronounce certain sounds, which can lead to slurred speech. Bridges fill these gaps to help you speak more clearly and confidently.
Maintains Facial Structure
Did you know that missing teeth can shift the structure of your jawbone over time? That’s true, and it can lead to a sunken appearance. Bridges assist your teeth in maintaining your natural bone structure to prevent deterioration and keep your face looking natural.
Prevents Shifting Teeth
Aside from a deteriorating jawbone, missing teeth can also shift out the places of surrounding teeth. Bridges give you that assurance and peace of mind to prevent this from happening and maintain proper tooth alignment.
Enhances Aesthetics
Some people can feel conscious when they have missing teeth, especially when it’s visible. Bridges serve as natural-looking replacements for missing teeth that restore the functionality of your teeth and bring back your smile.
Post-Procedure Care and Maintenance
After knowing what bridges are and how they can restore your teeth, let’s explore how you can take care of them to make them last long.
Oral Hygiene Practices
Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent your dental bridges from damages. The number one rule–brush your teeth twice daily and floss around the bridge. This will keep your bridges and teeth clean and free from plaque and food particles. Special floss threaders can help you clean underneath the pontic effectively.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Regular dental check-ups are a must. Your dental health would not be as optimal without the help of your dentist to monitor your dental bridge and surrounding teeth. Moreover, your dentist can spot potential issues early and provide professional cleanings to keep your mouth healthy.
Diet Considerations
While a dental bridge allows you to eat the foods you want, try to avoid those very hard or sticky ones that could damage the bridge. Also, make it a habit to chew on both sides of your mouth can to help distribute the pressure evenly.
What a Dental Bridge Procedure Looks Like at Superior Smiles
The bridge dental procedure at Superior Smiles typically involves two or more appointments. Here’s a general overview:
- Consultation: During the initial consultation, your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth. X-rays may also be necessary to see what treatment works for you. If dental bridges are recommended, you will receive a curated plan that’s made just for you.
- Preparing the Abutment Teeth: In the next appointment, the dentist will prepare the surrounding healthy teeth to receive the crowns. What happens is they remove a small amount of enamel to create space for the crown.
- Taking Impressions: Impressions of your teeth will be taken to ensure a precise fit for the bridge.
- Temporary Bridge: Once your impressions are noted, our dentist will provide a temporary bridge to be placed while the permanent bridge is designed in the dental lab.
- Placing the Permanent Bridge: Once the permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will carefully cement it onto the prepared connecting teeth.
Bridging Those Gaps for A Killer Smile!
If you’ve experienced tooth loss due to trauma or injury, fret not because our dental professionals know how to fix it! Head on to Superior Smiles at North Fremantle to give you your bridge dental treatments without any hassle. Reach out to our dentists at (08) 9254 6510 to unleash the smile that’s been taken away from you.