A dental bridge, which is also called a fixed removable denture, is a variety of crown that's used to replace one or two missing tooth. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on each side of the opening and false tooth/teeth (pontic) between the crowns. A bridge can either be supported by natural teeth, implants or a mix of both. There are 3 main types of dental bridges.
Conventional Bridges. A traditional bridge has a crown for each side of the opening and is created with a pontic in the middle. This is the most preferred sort of dental bridges and they can either be made of ceramics or porcelain that is fused to a metal.
Maryland Bonded Bridges. The Maryland Bonded Bridges, often referred to as the resin bonded bridges, are commonly chosen when the teeth on either side of the gap are healthy and strong with no large fillings or when the opening is between the front teeth. These fake teeth are usually made of plastic and fused to metal bands that are then bonded to the existing teeth using resin.
Cantilever Bridges. These bridges are preferred when there are existing teeth on only one side of the missing tooth/teeth in cases like these; they're anchored to one or two teeth that are diagonally opposite to the opening. They are also ideal for front teeth since they are subject to little stress.
The fitting of bridges customarily takes more than one visit and there after a couple more visits to check and adjust them if necessary. On the 1st visit, the area that's meant for the bridge is numbed and the diagonally opposite teeth are re-contoured to create space for the in-going bridges. The dentist may then utilise a dental putty to create an impression of the teeth that'll be used to make the crown and bridge in the lab. The dentist will most likely offer a temporary bridge for protection of the now exposed teeth and gums where the bridge is to be fitted. At this visit, the right shade is also selected to guarantee the bridges looks as natural as is possible when put next to the remaining teeth.
On the second visit, the short lived bridges will be removed and the bridge that has been custom- made fitted. It is then checked for its fit and bite and any changes that are mandatory will be made before it is ultimately cemented into place. A few more fits will be critical to check the bridges and adjust the fit. In the case of a permanent bridge, it'll cemented momentarily for two weeks before being cemented permanently to allow for the checking and adjusting of the fit.
Bridges not only restore one’s grin but the power to talk and chew also. They appear natural in appearance and considering they have a good life period, they're among the soundest options to choose between if one is looking to replace lost tooth/teeth. Dental bridges also help to maintain the form of the face and forestall the rest of the teeth from drifting misplaced.
Lionel Piedmont thanks Kirk Kimmerling, DDS for his information on use of bridges, crowns, implants, and dentures which was employed in writing this article.