Simple Beginners' Guide to Dental Bridges
Having to live your life with missing teeth, be it one or multiple, can be incredibly distressing. Not only does it have a direct, adverse effect on your smile, but it can also excessively challenging to perform simple tasks such as talking, chewing and so on. Fortunately, missing teeth do not have to be a permanent blemish to your appearance. An ideal, yet cost-efficient, way to solve this problem is via dental bridges. This type of restorative treatment is popular among people who have lost teeth because it offers a range of benefits that you may not receive from other restorative options. If you do not know anything about dental bridges, discover what they are all about with this simple beginners' guide.
What exactly are dental bridges?
A dental bridge comprises three main parts. These parts are the abutments that are on either side of a prosthetic tooth. The prosthetic teeth are typically manufactured from porcelain, so that it can match your natural teeth. You also can have multiple teeth between the abutments, depending on the number of teeth you want to be replaced. The abutments are then affixed on the teeth at either side of the gap created by the missing teeth.
How are dental bridges beneficial to teeth loss?
Dental bridges can help with your oral health in several ways. While some people may think that restorative therapy is merely about the appearance of your smile, investing in dental bridges can help with preventing the development of subsequent dental problems, too. Firstly, the dental implants prevent your teeth from shifting and filling up the space left by the gap, which can cause misalignment. Secondly, dental bridges also help in mitigating the risk of developing an overbite or an underbite due to missing teeth. Lastly, electing to have dental bridges installed also helps in limiting gum recession, which also tends to happen due to tooth loss.
How are dental bridges installed?
There are two ways that you can have dental bridges installed. The first and most common procedure employed for dental bridge installation is to have crowns fitted onto the teeth situated on the sides of the gap. The crowns then act as a sturdy support system for the abutments that will hold the prosthetic tooth in place. The second way of installing dental bridges is by having titanium posts inserted directly into the jawbone. Crowns are then fitted on top of the titanium posts to hold the bridge. The choice of procedure will depend on factors such as the number of teeth being replaced, your medical history and so on.