Dental Bridges

Dental bridges or crowns are a major cosmetic dentistry procedure. This procedure involves capping or covering of the tooth so as to bring it back to its original shape, strength, appearance and size.

These crowns can be made from metal, porcelain attached on metal, tooth colored materials etc. Prosthetic crowns are useful when the tooth is damaged and can't be restored by filling alone. A crown can hold the damaged or broken teeth in its place so that further damage is prevented. Some other situations where dental bridges can help are large fillings without sufficient tooth to hold it in place, prevention of further fracture of already weakened teeth, reconstruction of damaged teeth, camouflaging of crooked/stained teeth, protection of brittle teeth filled with root canal etc.

How Does The Dentist Set A Dental Bridge In Place?

The tooth and surrounding area is numbed by the use of a local anesthetic and then the tooth is cleaned up of brittle or decayed areas. The remainder of the teeth will be prepared so that the crown will fit comfortably on it. Some times a "build up" is undertaken so as to create a proper foundation for the crown. This is achieved by the use of a composite material on the tooth. Later an impression of the reshaped teeth and surrounding gums is taken and sent to the lab where the crown will be created. In your next dentist appointment, this newly created crown will be attached to the tooth. Small adjustments are necessary to achieve the proper fit of the crown so that the teeth will be aligned perfectly for a sound bite. Once the crown is fitting perfectly, it will be permanently attached on to the tooth.

Are The Bridges Going To Look Natural?

Your dentist will be trying his level best to provide you with bridges that look the closest to your natural teeth. Your dentists gets the impression of your teeth as well as other related properties like its color, shape, length, bite etc and get the best possible bridges for you. You can convey any specific requirements you wish to have to your dentist and he can design the bridges so as to satisfy you with great looking and strong teeth.

What Is The Difference Between A Dental Cap And A Dental Crown?

A dental cap and a dental crown are both different names for the same thing.

How Long Can Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns are known to last from five to eight years. If you stick to a rigorous oral cleanup regimen, they are going to last many more years. Bad habits like teeth grinding, fingernail biting, chewing ice etc can adversely affect the durability of the crowns.

How Do I Take Good Care Of Dental Crowns?

Avoid biting or chewing hard food products, ice etc so as to safeguard your crowns from damages. Try to avoid teeth grinding as much as possible. Brushing and flossing properly along with timely dentist appointments can help you in having long lasting crowns. Any plaque build up on the crown should be removed with the use of inter-dental cleaners or flossing. Plaque build up can cause gum problems or teeth decay. In case you avoid dentist appointments or do not stick to dental hygiene practices, teeth problems may become worse and cause the crown to break up.

What Is A Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are used to fill up the space left at any missing tooth. These are set in place in to the empty space supported by the neighboring teeth. Only the dentist can set this in place and the patient cannot remove it temporarily like partial dentures.

A typical dental bridge has three parts consisting of a false tooth and two crowns. The crowns are glued on to the neighboring teeth so as to hold it in space.

What Type Of Patients Can Get A Bridge?

Dental bridges are suitable for people with missing teeth and willingness to follow a good oral hygiene regimen. Bridge is the best remedy for people to cover up the space left out due to tooth loss. If this space is left empty, the neighboring teeth are prone to move in to that spot. This can eventually cause worsening of teeth decay or gum problems in this region. The varied positive benefits of dental bridges include aligning the proper bite, improve speech, improve chewing ability, provide better facial appearance, delay signs of aging (like wrinkles) etc.

What Are The Different Types Of Bridges Available?

Resin bonded bridges (also known as Mary land bridges) are used mostly for front teeth. These bridges work the best when the neighboring teeth are comparatively healthier without much filling. The false teeth is fixed on to metal bands and are set on to the neighboring teeth with the help of resin cement and camouflaged from view. In this method, the neighboring teeth need not be scraped and finished much to make it ready for the procedure.

In cases where there are no teeth on one side of the missing tooth, a cantilever bridge can be used so as to set it in space on to one or more of the existing neighboring teeth. If there are no neighboring teeth at all, a metal post can be embedded surgically on to the bone and then a crown can be set on to it. In certain situations, if the span is longer, a removable partial denture or an implant-based prosthesis can be used.

What Are The Steps Involved In A Dental Bridge Fabrication?

In case of a standard fixed bridge, the dentist is going to resize the neighboring teeth so that it can anchor the false tooth in place. From the tooth impressions measured, he will create the false tooth and its support framework. The finished bridge will be set in place during the second appointment. Usually the procedure takes around a week's time based on the nature of the bridge chosen. This estimated time frame can be delayed in certain people due to the difficulty in matching the exact tooth shade.

How Do I Take Good Care Of Dental Bridges?

A good oral hygiene routine involving regular brushing, flossing and dentist appointments is very important for safekeeping of bridges. If food particles are left on the teeth, they may cause bacterial activity that can lead to tooth decay, gum problems or even damage to the dental bridge. Floss threaders are the best tool to get rid of bacteria hiding around the teeth, gum and crown. The metallic or porcelain part of the crown is not going to be affected by tooth decay. But the natural tooth on the bottom can be affected. If you stick to a strict dental care regimen, your dental bridge is going to last for a lot of years.

Additional Suggestions And Preventive Measures

Adjustment period: You may feel a bit awkward about the bridge during the initial few days. This will only last until the bridge and teeth familiarize about each other and the change in surroundings.

Preventive Methods: If you stick to the following instructions, you can assure that the bridge is going to last a long time without any tooth decay or similar problems:

Make sure that you regularly brush your teeth after every meal and before hitting bed. Use a soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush and clean the area where the bridge meets the gum. As this area is the favorite of germs to hide, it would be better to use an electric brush to clean the area properly.

Make a habit of flossing at least once and preferably twice a day. Remove any plaque build up around the bridge using a floss threader or a proxy brush or an automatic flosser. It is really important to clean the bottom of the bridge and the sides too. If you do not keep the food particle accumulation or plaque build up, you may face problems like tooth-decay or gum problems.

Always fluoride rinse before you sleep. Thoroughly rinse your mouth for at least a minute of time. Spit the rinse out and do not consume any food for the next half an hour.

Clean thoroughly between the teeth with the help of an inter-dental brush.

Chewing: Avoid biting on to hard food products for the first 24 hours after getting the bridge set in place. This is the time the cement needs to set properly.

Reduce junk food. If you consume sugary drinks, brush thoroughly and rinse away properly.

Sensitivity: You may feel overly sensitive to hot or cold food items for a few weeks. Except for a few people who may take up more than six weeks for this to go away, the rest will lose this sensitivity in a few weeks time.

Aftercare: Lack of proper follow up care and examination is the most common reason for the failure of dental bridges. Make sure your dentist examines you once in every six months. An expert dentist will be able to notice any or all new infections breeding on or near the bridges and take corrective measures in time and for a much reduced cost. In case you notice the problem too late, you may be forced to redo the whole exercise at a much higher cost.

Problems: You may face these problems. The restored teeth may be hitting first whenever you bite. This needs realignment by your dentist. You may feel overly sensitive to sweet items or application of pressure, your may feel that the bridge is moving a little bit, you may find a different taste at the bridge area and a part of the bridge can fall off. If any of these conditions arise, check immediately with your dentist for clarifications..

Preventive Dentistry is one of the best forms of oral and dental hygiene.  It helps you to get that all important smile back on your face through cosmetic dentistry.