Bridges
The perfect way to replace missing teeth.
The problem
Bridges are recommended when there are one or more teeth missing that affect
- your smile and appearance,
- your bite, as a result of adjacent teeth leaning into the space and altering the way the upper and lower teeth bite together,
- your speech,
- the shape of your face,
- the rates of gum disease and tooth decay as a result of food accumulated in the gap.
The solution
A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the colour of your natural teeth.
Advantages
Advantages include that dental bridges appear and function similarly to natural teeth. They remain in the mouth at all times.
Dental bridge can restore the appearance of a full set of teeth, besides improving your smile. However, a bridge is not as permanent as dental implant. But, dental bridge can last for 10 to 15 years or longer than that, if good oral hygiene is maintained. Moreover, it is less expensive and takes less time than dental implant. Although a bridge is not as permanent as a dental implant, it can last for 10 to 15 years or more, if good oral hygiene is maintained. Moreover, it is less expensive and takes less time than dental implants. Dental implant on the other hand, is an invasive method that involves surgery, and therefore, it is more time consuming than dental bridges.
Disadvantages
Disadvantages are that natural teeth need to be trimmed down so that the bridge can be attached, and these natural teeth may be overloaded by stress placed on them. Another disadvantage is cost - dental bridges are relatively costly compared to dentures.
Risks are that the extra load on the supporting teeth can weaken, break or cause pulp death in these teeth. The crowns (caps) that connect the supporting teeth can become loose if not cemented or fitted well - making the natural teeth susceptible to decay.
More information about dental bridges
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