If you lose a tooth through an accident or poor dental hygiene it can cause you great embarrassment. The right solution for you might be to use a dental bridge. A dental bridge is generally a false tooth (known as a pontic) that is attached to the teeth on either side of it, using special bands and cementing. This is a considerable difference from the traditional removable option of dentures as the pontic is held in place and remains there for up to ten or fifteen years.
There are three different types of dental bridges. A different type of bridge is used depending upon the quality of the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. The different types of dental bridges are:
Traditional Bridges: This type of bridge creates a crown or implant for the missing tooth. Traditional bridges, as the name would suggest are the most common options for people who need a dental bridge. A traditional dental bridge involves placing artificial teeth between two remaining healthy teeth.
Cantilever Bridges: This type of bridge is used when there is only one available adjacent tooth to connect to the dental bridge.
Maryland Bridges: This type of bridge involves taking much less enamel away on the adjacent teeth. These are not normally as structurally robust as other bridges and do not usually last as long as traditional or cantilever bridges.
Getting a Dental Bridge requires one more than one visit to the dentist. In your first session the adjacent teeth are prepared by having a small amount of enamel removed from the teeth. A mould of the area is taken so that a temporary bridge can be created to protect the teeth and gums. When you visit again, after a fortnight or so, the temporary dental bridge will be removed and the permanent fixed dental bridge put into place checking the bite and alignment. It may take several more visits to ensure a good fit and adjustments may be necessary before cementing the fixed bridge. Some people experience problems getting used to the feeling of the new dental bridge, but these disappear after a few weeks.
You can get a removable bridge or a fixed bridge and the removable bridge is cheaper than the fixed one. But a fixed dental bridge feels much more like your own mouth before losing the tooth or teeth. Removable bridges trap food, whereas fixed bridges can be cleaned by normal methods of brushing and flossing. Fixed dental bridges are often better fits and eating normally occurs very quickly after fitting.
If the dental bridge is correctly fitted, your speech should not be affected. There may be a period of adjustment, because the shape of your mouth has changed.
There are few risks with dental bridges as long as the bridge fits well. It is not as reliable as natural teeth, but it is a lot better than missing teeth. You will need to make a bridge replacement two or three times during your lifetime.
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