Dental Bridges

One of the great things about dentistry is that we tend to call most things what they are, without a lot of fussy terminology. Take dental bridges, for instance. Just like any other bridge, a dental bridge spans a gap between two points—in this case, two teeth. If you have one or more teeth missing between two healthy ones, a bridge may be just the thing for you.

Some benefits of a dental bridge

A bridge of artificial teeth, most often made of porcelain, can certainly be helpful in restoring an attractive smile, but there are other benefits to them, as well:

Chewing

The ability to bite into food and chew it properly depends a lot on the way your teeth work together in alignment. If you have healthy teeth trying to work without the proper teeth above or below them, chewing completely is a real challenge; those healthy teeth will also be at risk of wearing out prematurely and/or being moved out of proper alignment. A dental bridge puts opposing teeth in place for your healthy teeth to work within the process of eating.
Speaking

You may feel that you rely mostly on your tongue to speak but, without your teeth, your tongue would have a hard time getting much across to people. Think of the sounds that rely on your teeth: D, L, N and T are the essential “dental consonants,” but F, S, TH and V all rely heavily on your teeth, as well. If your ability to speak clearly has been diminished by missing teeth, a bridge could put you back on the path to clear, crisp diction.
Face shape

Take a moment to feel the way your lips rest against your teeth. The same is true about facial tissue all around your upper and lower teeth. If teeth were to go missing, your facial tissue could begin moving into the space where teeth once held it in position,even causing you to start biting your cheek. In a situation like that, a bridge can replace the pressure against the facial tissue, helping to maintain the shape of your face.
Drifting teeth

In addition to helping one another bite and chew properly, teeth work together in maintaining one another’s position in the mouth. A tooth that is missing a neighbor on one side, can eventually begin leaning into the gap beside it, which can in turn cause alignment trouble for the teeth it is moving away from. In this case, a bridge can replace missing teeth in our smile while also restoring the support neighboring teeth need to maintain their proper position.

What Patients Are Saying About StarBrite Dental

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- Y. T.

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"Pleasantly surprised by my experience here. I wanted to come in to take care of a cleaning and take care of a few issues with my teeth. I am now done with my treatment and have a brand new smile. They even whitened my teeth for an incredible final result. I love how my bridge looks."

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Various types of dental bridges

Before describing the types of bridges, it’s important to point out that bridges are different than partial dentures. Dental bridges are intended as permanent replacements for missing teeth, where dentures are—in most cases—removable. That said, here’s a look at the kinds of bridges your dentist might consider:

Traditional Bridge

Most people who have a bridge have what is known as a traditional bridge—one or more artificial teeth connected to dental crowns that sit over the healthy teeth on either side of the gap being corrected. It’s a strong and reliable fix, but it does require removing the enamel from the teeth being crowned, in order for the crowns to fit.
Cantilever Bridge

When there is only one healthy tooth available to be crowned as the anchor for the bridge, a cantilever bridge will be considered. The basic process is the same, except that the dentist only needs to remove enamel from one tooth. The decision on whether or not to use a cantilever bridge is based on factors, including how much pressure will be put on the bridge and how much support the dentist decides the artificial teeth need from the anchor crown. In some cases, two side-by-side teeth may be prepared for crowns in order to provide stronger support for the artificial teeth in the bridge.
Maryland Bridge

When only one tooth is being replaced, and a less invasive solution than the traditional bridge is called for, a Maryland bridge fits the bill. Rather than connecting an artificial tooth to dental crowns, a Maryland bridge is made by attaching a single artificial tooth to strip of metal, which is then bonded to the backs of the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Among the benefits of a Maryland bridge: no removal of enamel from neighboring teeth and no dental crowns to be made. The disadvantage lies in the fact that the material used to cement the Maryland bridge into place is the only thing anchoring the artificial tooth in place. Depending on how much pressure the artificial tooth receives, the cement could give out over time.
Bridge with Implants

This isn’t purely a bridge but it is an option worth mentioning. It’s a bridge combined with oral surgery. The first step in getting this type of bridge is to have an dental specialist put dental implant posts through the gum and into the jaw. The number of posts will be decided by your dentist and your specialist. For example, two implant posts may be put in place and used as the anchor points for placing the dental crowns to which the artificial teeth of the bridge are attached. The chief benefit of this type of bridge is its strength, since the implants are firmly anchored into the jaw.

What a Dental Bridge Procedure Is Like

We’ve already covered the basics of what needs to be done in order to place a dental bridge, but let’s run through the entire process using the traditional type of bridge as an example. Getting a traditional bridge requires at least two visits to your dentist.

Initial Appointment

The teeth on either side of your gap are prepared for crowning by removing some enamel from each of them, which makes room for the crowns to which your artificial teeth will be connected. After that, molds of the area to be bridged are taken, in order to provide the dental lab that will be making your bridge to have an accurate representation of the area. When that is done, your dentist will make a temporary bridge right there in the office, to protect the teeth from which enamel has been removed.
Final Appointment

This appointment will happen after the dental lab your dentist works with has delivered your bridge. During this visit, your new bridge will be put in place and adjusted until your dentist is satisfied with its placement and position in relation to the rest of your teeth. Depending on how all that goes, your dentist will either cement the bridge in place permanently or use a temporary adhesive, asking you to come back for additional visits to be sure the placement is correct before applying the permanent cement.

"The entire staff seems to be there for one reason and one reason only and that is to make sure my dental needs are addressed. I am so thankful to Dr Seifi for helping me . I generally really dislike dentists She and her staff have changed my viewpoint on oral health.

- Richard R.

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