A Guide to Dental Bridges

Missing teeth can completely change the way we look. Empty spaces inside our mouths can influence the way we eat, talk, and the way we handle ourselves in social situations. Fortunately, there are several ways through which missing teeth can be replaced. One of such methods is dental bridges. Bridges are essentially false teeth that are used to create a healthy, beautiful smile. These prosthetics are mainly applied in aesthetic dentistry to "bridge" the gaps.

The Various kinds of dental bridges:

There are mainly three kinds of dental bridges:

Cantilever bridges: these bridges are used when just one abutment projection surrounds the space.

Traditional bridges: traditional bridges are made with porcelain. These prosthetics are permanently attached and cannot be taken out of the mouth.

Maryland bonded bridges: Also known as resin-bonded bridges, such bridges are mainly used for the front teeth. They are an excellent choice when the abutment teeth are strong, healthy and do not have large fillings.

The Process:

Once the expert decides that bridges are the best option, treatment planning begins. Dentists discuss the materials that can be used for the bridges. The choice of dental bridge will depend on several factors such as the patient’s dental insurance coverage and patient’s oral health.

The procedure of getting bridges is very simple. It begins with preparing the patient’s abutment teeth. This involves re-contouring the projections by scraping off a small amount of enamel so that crowns can be put over them. Once this is done, a model or impression of the teeth is taken to create the bridge and crowns in the lab. Meanwhile, the patient is asked to wear a temporary bridge to secure the exposed teeth while the permanent ones are being created.

Once the new bridges have been created, they are adjusted and checked to get them fitted properly. Follow up visits are then required so that the patient’s metal framework and bite can be adjusted accordingly.

Advantages Of Dental Bridges:

• With the latest advancements in dentistry, installing a bridge is an extremely simple procedure.
• The procedure saves a lot of time and can be completed in two visits.
• Dental bridges are extremely natural in look.
• They help in maintaining the patient’s facial tone and stopping any facial musculature changes.
• If the patient maintains proper oral hygiene, bridges can reduce the problem of gum disease and stop the tooth from tilting, shifting, or drifting.
• They offer a patient a beautiful, healthy, well-aligned smile and assist in correcting bite issues and enhancing the patient’s ability to talk properly.
• The chewing efficiency of the patient is increased as the bite force is equally distributed after the bridge is installed.
• Bridges are less expensive and less invasive in comparison to implants or any other restorative procedure.
• Fixed bridges must last for as many as 10 years or more, given the patient follows good oral practices.

Using fixing bridges to make up for missing teeth has several benefits. They can resolve all kinds of problems pertaining to missing projections such as, problems in chewing, eating, and speaking. Moreover, they also enhance a patient’s beautiful smile and overall look. However, it is very important to look after such bridges with the same intensity and care as natural teeth. When a patient maintains proper oral hygiene, good diet and visits a dentist regularly, dental bridges can last for several years. It is also important to get these bridges from reputed clinics. There are several dental offices in California that deal with cosmetic dentistry specifically. They have the latest equipment and resources to provide their patients with lasting beautiful smiles.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are essentially caps placed over weak teeth to keep them protected. These prosthetics can be made out of porcelain, gold or silver and are shaped in such a way that they resemble a real tooth.

When are crowns used?

Decay and accidents can lead to weakened teeth that may require crowns. Apart from this, capping may also be used when patients have large fillings put inside their projection and there is not enough teeth left to keep that filling in place.

The various benefits of Dental Crowns:

These devices have several benefits. Here are some of the most important:

• Ceramic and porcelain dental crowns are custom matched to the existing tooth color of the patient and are designed exclusively for the patient’s smile. This helps in achieving an esthetically pleasing, accurate result.
• When cemented properly, such ceramic restorations encase the whole misshapen or badly discolored teeth, thereby offering a sparkling, bright smile.
• Crowns are utilized to cover dental implants and to work together with the existing natural teeth comfortably.
• They tend to act as protective covers, securing an already weak tooth from any further damage.
• The biggest advantage is that such capping feel, look, and function like a person’s natural teeth and restore the overall bite strength, in turn enhancing the patient’s ability to bite anything comfortably.
• If created correctly, dental crowns assist the lower and upper teeth to meet properly and maintain a proper bite.

Who is the right candidate?

• These crowns are apt for those patients who have severely damaged teeth or suffer from discolored or yellow teeth.
• People, who have a tendency of grinding their teeth or have a hard time chewing the food comfortably can benefit from crowns immensely.
• Dental crowns are the best alternative to extracting a loose, cracked or chipped tooth or replacing it with a fake tooth.
• People who have undergone root canal treatment will require a dental crown. Patients with particularly large fillings might need a crown to protect their major teeth.
• Patients who have lost their projections to periodontal disease or traumatic injury can be treated with crowns together with dental bridges and dental implants.
• Crowns may be recommended only if the patient has good oral health and dental structure to support the dental crown. Healthy gums have the ability to anchor crowns firmly in place and ensure an effective cementation of the capping.

The Procedure:

Crowns involve two main steps:

First, the dental expert removes a thin layer of the enamel from the patient’s tooth to fix a crown. Neighboring teeth are also prepared in a similar manner. An impression of the tooth structure is then made and the capping is prepared in a laboratory. Meanwhile, temporary crowns are fixed for a few weeks. Once the permanent capping has been created, the temporary crown is removed and a permanent crown is cemented.

Crowns normally last for a good duration of time. If the patient maintains proper oral hygiene, crowns can last for as long as ten to fifteen years. Once this period is reached, they may need to be replaced. Crowns may also need replacing because of problems such as dental decay, wear and tear, or inappropriate fitting because of placement.

The typical cost of a crown in California varies from clinic to clinic. The price depends on the kind of material used. Porcelain or ceramic crowns are costlier in comparison to metal crowns. The fee the dental surgeon charges, screening costs, and the like can also add to the total amount significantly.