A complete and radiant smile is a huge part of your self-confidence and overall well-being.
Knowing that your smile is not as great as you'd like it to be can cause you to feel self-conscious, especially in public.
When faced with missing teeth, the impact even goes beyond aesthetics. It affects your speech and chewing function, even causing adjacent teeth to shift. Dental bridges are a reliable and transformative solution to your issue.
They offer a bridge (pun intended) to confidence and a fully restored smile.
Understanding Dental Bridges: What Are They?
Dental bridges are prosthetic devices designed to bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. It is made of artificial teeth, or pontics, anchored by implants or dental crowns on adjacent natural teeth. Bridges are made to integrate into your oral structure seamlessly, restoring function without compromising on appearance.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are a few different types of dental bridges that work in unique cases. They include:
- Traditional Bridges: Traditional bridges are the most common type. They consist of pontics held in place by dental crowns on the natural teeth on both sides of the gap. These crowns act as abutments, securing the bridge in its designated position.
- Cantilever Bridges: These are necessary for situations where only one adjacent tooth is available. These bridges use a single dental crown to support the pontic. They aren't as strong as traditional bridges for obvious reasons.
- Maryland Bridges: Also known as resin-bonded bridges, Maryland bridges employ metal frameworks to bond the bridge to the adjacent teeth. They are an excellent option when preserving tooth structure is a priority. They are usually only used in front, as they can't withstand the chewing action of back teeth.
- Implant-Supported Bridges: Implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone. This type provides durability and mimics the natural tooth structure more closely. They are necessary when you have three or more missing teeth in a row.
The Restoration Journey: From Gaps to Grins
These are the steps you'll have to take on your journey to a better smile.
- Comprehensive Examination: The journey begins with a thorough dental examination. The dentist assesses the condition of your remaining teeth, the health of the surrounding gums, and the overall oral structure.
- Tooth Preparation: For traditional and cantilever bridges, your adjacent teeth serving as abutments will undergo slight reshaping to accommodate the crowns. Your dentist would then take impressions to create precise models for the bridge.
- Temporary Bridge Placement: Your dentist will fit you with a temporary bridge to bide you till your permanent one has been fabricated.
- Custom Fabrication: Using computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, the permanent bridge is designed to match the patient's natural bite. This ensures optimal functionality and aesthetics.
- Placement and Adjustment: Once the permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will place it to achieve a harmonious fit. Any issues are corrected and you'll go home with a new smile.
Investing in a Bridge to the Future
Dental bridges stand as more than just prosthetic devices; they are bridges to renewed confidence and restored functionality. When you get a dental bridge from a professional dentist Dorking has to offer, you embark on a journey from gaps to grins. Here's to rediscovering the joy of a complete and confident smile.