What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a dental prosthetic created to replace one or more teeth. The difference between a bridge and dentures is that the bridge is cemented in and not removable, whereas most dentures can be taken out and cleaned. The bridge can either be cemented to remaining teeth or an implant depending on your situation. The teeth or the implant serve as an anchor for the bridge.
Why do you need a bridge
When you are missing one or more teeth, your mouth goes through an adjustment process. At first it is just the annoyance of having a gap in your teeth. Over time though, the teeth that remain in your mouth begin to shift and compensate for the change in your bite due to the missing teeth. When this begins to happen, your bite will become imbalanced and begin to change the shape of your bones and tissues surrounding your teeth. A bridge prosthetic is meant to fill in the gaps of the missing teeth in order to help your mouth maintain its structure.
How are they made?
This first thing that needs to happen, is your dentist needs to determine how the bridge will be anchored in your mouth. If the prosthetic is going to be anchored to existing teeth, those teeth will need to be reduced in size so that the crown of the bridge will be able to fit over them. Once the tooth has been reduced, the dentist will take an impression of your mouth. This impression will be used to make a mold, which will be used to design the bridge. Your dentist will select the material and color of the bridge. This selection will depend on where in your mouth it is located and what function it will serve in your bite. While the dental lab is making the bridge, your dentist will install a temporary one to cover the anchor tooth. This temporary one will be replaced by the permanent dental bridge, which will be cemented into your teeth.
How long do they last?
In many cases, a bridge can last 10+ years. They are designed to be a permanent prosthetic. In some cases they do fall out over time though. The easiest way to ensure that your prosthetic lasts a lifetime is to take good care of your mouth. The most common reason that a bridge falls out is because the anchor teeth are damaged due to decay or gum disease. Regular brushing and dental cleanings will help insure that your investment lasts a long time.
Is a dental bridge right for you?
If you think you are a candidate for a bridge because you are missing teeth or have the potential to lose teeth, talk to your dentist. They will be able to assess your oral health and determine if you are a good candidate for a bridge. In some cases, it may benefit you to get full dentures or a removable partial denture. If this is the case, your dentist will be able to help you with that as well.
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