There are a number of reasons why you can lose a tooth. People often lose teeth due to cavities, trauma, or injury. But, is there a way to fix missing teeth? Can you fill the gap caused due to missing teeth? In this blog, we’re going to discuss everything about dental bridges and who should get them, alongside discussing the benefits of getting a dental bridge.
Let’s start.
What are Dental Bridges and Who Needs Them?
If you have missing teeth, your dentist can fill the gap using false/artificial teeth. This is known as a dental bridge. A dental bridge is made using crowns. It is cemented in place on any side of the missing tooth & it supports the false tooth properly.
Dental bridges are required by people with one or more missing teeth. People often lose their teeth due to an injury, gum disease, or tooth decay. Some people also have missing teeth since birth. This can be because of a congenital condition. To be able to get a dental bridge, you need to have healthy teeth on any side of the missing teeth.
Why Should You Get a Dental Bridge?
It is vital to get a dental bridge if you have a missing tooth because the teeth on the sides of the empty tooth can move into the space if the space doesn’t get filled. If you have a missing tooth & don’t get a dental bridge, the tooth on the opposite jaw can also move toward the empty space. This can lead to:
- Difficulty while chewing.
- Bite problems.
- Pain due to extra stress on the jaw.
Are Dental Bridges Common?
Dental bridges are used as a common solution for problems faced by people due to missing teeth. Dentists have been using dental bridges for many years now, and the procedure of a dental bridge usually consists of 2 dentist appointments:
When you visit your dentist for the first time, they’ll work on reshaping the abutment teeth. They’ll basically remove a little bit of dentin and enamel to create room for the dental bridge’s crown.
Moreover, your dentist will also scan your teeth digitally or take impressions. The dental laboratory will use the digital scan or mould to create a bridge, crowns, and false teeth for you. The dentist will also fit a temporary bridge to shield the open area of the missing tooth.
When you visit the dentist for the second time, the practitioner will remove the temporary bridge and fit the permanent bridge in your teeth. Your dentist will check the dental bridge properly to ensure it fits you well and you don’t face any discomfort.
Advantages of a Dental Bridge
Dental bridges have numerous advantages. In this section, let’s look into a few significant benefits of dental bridges:
Dental Bridges Stop Teeth from Shifting
If you don’t fill up the space created by your missing tooth, teeth on either side of the tooth can start moving towards the space and lead to crooked teeth. Crooked teeth don’t look good, and they can affect the way you chew. Getting a dental bridge fills the space and ensures that other teeth don’t move. They’re designed to keep the tooth structure intact, and they don’t change the way your teeth appear.
Ease in Eating & Talking
Teeth play a vital role in how you speak and eat. A missing tooth can hamper your speech and affect your chewing. Depending on the position of your missing tooth, it may have an insignificant impact, but it can also adversely impact your chewing and speech.
A dental bridge ensures that the gap gets filled, also ensuring that you don’t face any issues. After getting a dental bridge, it will become convenient for you to speak and chew.
A Long-Lasting Solution
While dentures are designed in a way that you need to remove them before cleaning your mouth or going to sleep, dental bridges are false teeth that are permanently fixed in your mouth. A dental bridge fits properly in the space created by your missing tooth and lasts for many years. The best thing about a dental bridge is that you can clean it alongside your other teeth, and they don’t require additional care.
How to Ensure that Your Dental Bridge Lasts for Years to Come?
Dental bridges usually last for about 5-7 years. However, if you practice good oral hygiene and get a professional cleaning done regularly, it may last for over ten years. It is vital to maintain the health of your teeth to make your dental bridge last for long. You also need to maintain good oral health to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. This is to ensure you don’t face another tooth loss.
Ideally, it would help if you kept your dental health in check by:
- Flossing every day using the special floss used for flossing the dental bridge.
- Brushing twice a day.
- Brushing & flossing correctly.
- Eating healthy.
- Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups.
Conclusion
Missing teeth can get extremely problematic as it impacts how you talk, smile, and eat. Dental bridges prove to be a popular way to restore the mouth’s functionality. These bridges are used to fill the gap, and they’re long-lasting.
If you have missing teeth and are considering getting a dental bridge, you can contact our experienced dentists at Perfect Smile to see if it’s right for you. Our experienced professionals will examine your teeth and explain the procedure thoroughly. For more details, give us a call or visit your nearest Perfect Smile clinic right away!
