Dental bridges quite literally fill in the gap that is left by missing teeth. They work by anchoring a false tooth (called a pontic) between two crowns that are placed on healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
Dental bridges have many benefits including improving chewing and speech, helping to prevent further tooth loss, and restoring the beauty of your smile.
1. Improved Or韓国歯科矯正 al Health
Missing teeth can cause several problems for your oral health. For example, they can impact the way you chew food and pronounce certain words. In addition, a gap in the mouth can lead to more serious issues, such as crooked teeth and misalignment. Dental bridges help prevent these problems by filling the gap in the mouth caused by missing teeth.
They also provide better stability for your bite, so that you can eat and speak more comfortably. Lastly, they can help restore the natural shape of your face by keeping your lips and tongue where they should be.
To ensure the longevity of your dental bridges, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene and schedule regular visits to your dentist. Brush and floss daily to remove bacteria that can harm your natural teeth and gums. Additionally, avoid hard foods or sticky ones that can damage your bridges. Finally, wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth or clench them when you sleep. These habits can also damage the abutment teeth that support your dental bridges.
2. Better Chewing
Dental bridges replace missing teeth and help you enjoy a more nutritious diet. You can eat foods that you could not safely eat without a bridge, such as hard nut shells or sticky candy.
The most common type of dental bridge is a traditional one, which includes a false tooth (pontic) held in place by tooth crowns attached to healthy teeth on either side of the empty socket. These teeth are known as anchor teeth or abutment teeth.
Sticky foods like gum, caramel, and chewy candy pose a particular risk for bridges because they may get caught in or underneath the pontic and can even pull it out of place. This can damage the bridge or cause a painful infection in your mouth.
Dental bridges are made from stain-resistant materials, but they can become discolored over time if you routinely drink dark-colored beverages like tea, coffee, or wine. To reduce your risk of this, consider drinking these drinks through a straw or cleansing your mouth right afterward. Also, see your dentist regularly to keep your bridge clean and looking its best.
3. Better Speech
Missing teeth can cause gaps that alter the way you speak, making you slur your words or mumble. A dental bridge can fill in these gaps to improve your speech and give you confidence when speaking with others.
Dental bridges also help to restore the natural look of your smile. When you lose a tooth, the bone structure starts to weaken and can affect the overall shape of your face. This can make your face appear sunken or shorter than its actual size and can even make you look older. A dental bridge covers the gap left behind by the missing tooth to prevent shifting of the remaining teeth and improve your appearance.
There are four types of dental bridges — traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported — and each one is designed to meet specific needs. Our dentists will recommend the best option for your oral health and smile. For example, a traditional dental bridge features a dental crown on either end of the gap and an artificial tooth called a pontic in between.韓国歯科矯正
4. Improved Self-Esteem
Dental bridges are a long-lasting and discrete solution that can help you reclaim your smile and self-confidence. By filling the gap left by missing teeth, they can improve your appearance and help you feel more comfortable when speaking, eating and smiling.
During the fitting process, your dentist will prepare the healthy teeth on both sides of your missing tooth or teeth for a bridge by filing down or filling in any decay and taking a mould. They will then create a custom bridge consisting of one or more pontics (artificial teeth), abutments (the supporting natural teeth) and connectors to secure the pontics to the abutment teeth.
It is important to brush and floss regularly to keep your abutment teeth and the underlying gum tissue clean. This will help prevent any bacterial infections that can affect your oral health and reduce the risk of further tooth loss. Regularly practicing good oral hygiene habits will also ensure that your dental bridges look natural-looking and bright. Keeping your smile at its best will also help you to maintain your confidence in public and feel more comfortable in social situations.
5. Improved Appearance
Dental bridges fill in the gap of missing teeth, making your smile look fuller and healthier. This can help you feel more confident and boost your self-esteem. They can also reduce slurring and the inability to pronounce certain words.
In addition, the gap created by missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration, causing other problems. A dental bridge is a great way to prevent this problem, especially if you replace the missing tooth right away.
There are several different types of dental bridges, and your dentist will go over all the options with you. These may include all porcelain or ceramic, metal/porcelain fused to metal, gold alloy metal frameworks covered by porcelain, and resin-bonded bridges (sometimes referred to as a Maryland bridge).
Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist will help ensure your dental bridges last for years to come. Make sure to avoid biting down on hard or sticky foods, as this can damage or crack your natural teeth and the bridge. You should also wear a nightguard if you clench or grind your teeth, as this can cause damage to your bridge.