When you do not have teeth, it can be harder to eat, speak and smile. That’s where a dental bridge can help. This common solution fills the gap with teeth that look natural to perform their function just like normal teeth. Are your missing teeth affecting your smile? Visiting a reliable dental clinic in Kelowna is the first step towards regaining your smile.
What are Dental Bridges?
A bridge is a fixed dental appliance kept in place to replace one or more teeth. It “bridges” the gap between two healthy teeth or implants. The bridge has artificial teeth (pontics) anchored onto crowns placed on surrounding natural teeth.
Put simply, it fills the gap to restore the complete smile that you used to have.
Why Do I Need a Dental Bridge?
Losing a tooth affects more than just your looks. Teeth that are adjacent to your teeth can shift and cause jaw discomfort or bite problems. Here’s why a dental bridge treatment is often recommended.
- Restores your ability to chew and speak clearly
- Prevents teeth from drifting out of position
- Maintains your face’s natural shape
- Distributes bite forces evenly
When you care for a missing tooth, it can prevent health problems from occurring. Moreover, it will catch potential problems quickly before they get worse.
How Does a Dental Bridge Work?
A dental bridge in Kelowna is basically a set of artificial teeth that are fixed between two healthy teeth or implants. The following is a brief overview of the work:
- Preparation: The dentist trims down the two supporting teeth for the placement of dental crowns.
- Impression: The dentist takes an impression or a digital scan to fabricate the dental bridge that exactly fitting your teeth.
- Temporary Bridge: A temporary restoration is made to protect your teeth while your bridge is being fabricated.
- Final Placement: The tailor-made bridge is glued to your teeth, giving you back your smile and the ability to chew.
Importance of Dental Bridge in Everyday Life
The significance of a dental bridge is less than a hundred percent, or over one hundred percent, maybe, just purely for beauty. In fact, it is a major component in maintaining a healthy and functional oral cavity.
- Confidence boost: A full set of teeth visually makes one feel better.
- Better nutrition: The variety of foods that you can consume increases.
- Speech clarity: A loss of teeth may result in a lisp, and bridges assist in correcting that.
- Prevention: It allows the next teeth to be safe and in the right position.
What are the Types of Dental Bridges?
- Traditional Bridge: The one generally referred to as the one, is a type of bridge that gets support from the crowns that are placed on the teeth next to the gap.
- Cantilever Bridge: It is a bridge that is used only when there is a single tooth that can support the bridge next to the space where the tooth is missing.
- Maryland Bridge: A device that is commonly used for the front teeth and is fixed in the mouth by metal or porcelain wings.
- Implant-Supported Bridge: The best choice when you want to replace a complete set of missing teeth. It gets its support from implants, not from natural teeth.
Your dentist near you will carefully check your oral health and help you choose the best bridge type for your smile.
What are Dental Bridge Care Tips?
- Brush your teeth at least two times a day with a soft toothbrush.
- Use a floss threader or water flosser to remove the debris from under the bridge.
- Do not bite on hard foods such as ice or candies.
- Make sure that you visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups.
With good care, dental bridges can be able to last for 10 years and even more.
Reclaim the Comfort of a Complete Smile!
Do you want to bring back your smile full of confidence? Then schedule a visit to Love It Dental and get a bright, fresh smile that looks and feels like your own!
FAQs
Are dental bridges painful to get?
No, the operation is performed under local anesthesia, so you should be at ease during the treatment.
How long does a dental bridge last?
It may last anywhere from 10 to 15 years or even more with good hygiene and proper maintenance.
Can I eat normally after getting a dental bridge?
Definitely, but only after a few days of consuming soft foods can you go back to your normal diet.
Is a dental bridge better than dentures?
Compared to removable dentures, a bridge is more natural and stable, as it is fixed permanently.