Dental Bridges

A tooth extraction would be necessary during certain oral issues such as severe cavities, external trauma, impacted teeth, malocclusion, etc. Whatever the reason may be, a missing tooth should be replaced with a prosthetic as soon as possible to prevent any complications in the future. This is where Dental bridges come into the picture.

A dental bridge is a prosthetic that is used to replace a missing tooth. It would look exactly like a natural tooth and would restore the functionality of the mouth. It would be the perfect tooth replacement solution for patients who wouldn’t want to undergo surgery to get their tooth replaced.

What are the amazing benefits of a bridge?

• Aesthetic makeover: Perhaps, the biggest drawback of getting a tooth extracted is that it leaves a nasty appearance on your face. It can often lead to embarrassment and make you feel uncomfortable and too conscious of yourself when you interact with people. A bridge would help you get the perfect smile as it mimics the appearance of a real tooth.
• Strong and stable: The bridge will be made from dental grade ceramic material that is highly tough and strong. It would be coupled with crowns on either side that allows it to be fixed in place and help the patient is everyday activities like biting and chewing food, pronunciation of words, etc.
• Prevent malocclusion: When a tooth is extracted, the remaining teeth tend to drift from their positions. This can change the ideal alignment of the teeth, thereby altering the facial shape as well. Getting a bridge in place of the extracted tooth can prevent this.
• Durability and Longevity: Bridges offer high resistance to wear. This allows them to perform their function while staying as good as new for a long time.

What does the treatment procedure involve?

The dentist would start off with a visual examination of the teeth and gums. Scans and x-rays of the teeth will be taken to determine the spacing available for the bridge, any hidden cavities, receding of gums, drifting of teeth, etc. Once you’re deemed fit for a bridge, a small layer of enamel will be taken off from the tooth surfaces by buffing them. This is done to accommodate the crowns on the adjacent teeth. Local anesthesia may be administered during this to prevent pain and discomfort. A mold of the adjoining teeth along with the gap left by the missing tooth will be taken to fabricate the bridge.

The data from the scans will be sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be made from dental grade ceramic. Once the bridge is ready, the adjoining teeth will be prepared by etching. The bridge will then be placed in position and checked for fit and comfort. Any changes, if required, will be made and once it is perfect, it will be permanently bonded in place using dental adhesives and hardened using a curing light of the right wavelength.