Table of Contents
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A traditional dental bridge comprises two dental crowns and an artificial replacement tooth called a pontic. The dental crowns support the artificial tooth by anchoring on adjacent teeth. Therefore, the condition for receiving a dental bridge near you is having adjacent teeth intact.
What Is the Process of Getting Dental Bridges?
The process of getting dental bridges involves two major steps – preparation and installation.
To prepare your tooth, the dentist shaves the enamels of adjacent teeth, creating space for dental crowns. After preparation, the dentist takes impressions of the teeth, creating a 3D mold to help develop your bridgework. Your dentist will then send you home with temporary crowns to protect the prepared teeth before the dental bridge is ready. The process typically takes two weeks.
The second visit is quick since it entails installing the dental bridge. Dentists near you use dental cement to bond the bridgework to your natural tooth structure. They then employ lasers to cure the cement, strengthening the bond thereof.
Is Getting a Dental Bridge Painful?
When the dentist prepares your adjacent teeth for placing dental crowns, the process is rather invasive. Usually, you are likely to experience some discomfort and sensitivity during the treatment. Therefore, our dentists at Charm Dental – Richmond, use local anesthesia to numb your beforehand. The numbing will make the process painless. Besides, sometimes dentists in Richmond employ sedation dentistry to overcome dental anxiety and promote calmness and relaxation.
How Do Dental Bridges Work?
Dental bridges work by replacing one to three missing teeth in a row. You must have healthy natural teeth remaining in your jawbone to support the bridgework. If you have more than three missing teeth sequentially, your dentist in Richmond will recommend getting partial dentures. If not, you must receive dental implants that will otherwise support the bridgework in your natural teeth’ stead.
When dental bridges fill the gaps of lost teeth, they restore optimal oral function and prevent teeth from shifting.
Can They Replace Front Teeth?
Dental bridges near you can replace both your back and front teeth. However, the type of bridgework your dentist will use to replace your back teeth will differ from that of the front teeth.
Typically, dentists use traditional bridges to replace molars. The reason is that traditional dental bridges are the sturdiest of all their counterparts. When replacing the front teeth, the dentist must consider aesthetics, not just sturdiness. Therefore, dentists will employ Maryland-bonded bridges to restore front teeth. These bridges feature porcelain or metal frameworks to attach to adjacent teeth.
How Long Do Bridges Last When Applied to Front Teeth?
Generally, the longevity of dental bridges depends on your ability to care for your teeth well after treatment. Further, dental bridges differ in sturdiness. A bridgework for front teeth would typically last between 5 and 10 years. Still, your dental bridges can last longer than that with proper dental care measures. Some of them include the following:
- Keep your mouth clean – brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily.
- Watch what you eat – soft foods are crucial to increasing the longevity of your dental bridges. Hard and crunchy foods risk cracking and breaking your bridges. Besides, front teeth dental bridges are not as sturdy as those for back teeth replacement.
- Visit a dentist regularly – routine dental exams allow the dentist to evaluate the condition of your new teeth and detect any anomalies early. Regular dental cleanings boost your oral hygiene to prevent any complications from plaque buildup.
- Quit poor oral habits – your oral habits directly impact your oral health. When you have dental bridges on your front teeth, you must be more careful about your oral habits. Habits like biting fingernails, chewing hard non-food items, or opening lips and cans with teeth will damage your teeth.
- Seek treatment for bruxism – if you grind your teeth at night, it risks damaging your natural teeth, let alone your dental bridges. Seeking treatment may entail wearing a night guard to protect your teeth.
Summary
Dental bridges are incredible oral restorations that replace missing teeth, regardless of their location in your mouth. They seek support from adjacent teeth, occupying the gaps of the lost teeth to prevent them from shifting over time.
