A complete set of teeth maintains good appearance, good nutritional health because one can eat all types of food that one desires. The proper alignment of these teeth also makes one feel good about personal dignity, in addition to being able to chew well, and speak properly. However, we lose our teeth for several reasons. When teeth are lost, it is good to replace them to restore the jaws into proper functioning.
A bridge is an artificial appliance used to replace missing teeth by attaching artificial teeth to adjacent standing natural teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached called fixed bridges, or they can be removable.
Fixed bridges hook to natural teeth either by placing crowns on the prepared abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges attach to natural teeth with the help of metal clasps or by precision attachments. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.
A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a tooth replacement appliance that fills the gap created by missing teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out for cleaning by the patient. Fixed bridges are more stable than their removable bridges.
Proper functioning and appearance that makes one feel healthy physically and psychologically are important reasons for wearing a bridge. The loss of a back tooth makes one's mouth stink, and the face looks older. A bridge provides support to the lips and cheeks.
The procedure involved in placing a bridge commonly takes two or three appointments to complete. The dentist prepares the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin during the first appointment. He/she takes impressions of the teeth, and its opposing set. The dentist sends the impressions to the laboratory where the technologists fabricate the bridge.
Bridges are made from a variety of materials that includes metallic alloys such as gold alloys, precious and non-precious alloys, and non-metals such porcelain, zirconia, bauxite or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is bonded to either precious or non-precious metal. The metal backing provides structural support to the bridge.
Occasionally some patients may be allergic to alloys such as gold, for example. If this is known before the preparation then, the material of choice will not have these metals.
It is critically important that the bridge be clean at all times to maintain the health of the neighboring teeth that provide support. A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. Your dentist will advise you on specific important steps.
