Is A Dental Bridge a Good Solution for Missing Teeth?

While our teeth are designed to last for a lifetime, we can lose them because of various factors like decay or accidents. Losing permanent teeth will leave unsightly gaps that affect your appearance. More than that, these gaps will damage your dental structure. Having these gaps for an extended period will cause the supporting bone to be reabsorbed in the body.

Furthermore, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift to the available spaces and further weaken your structure. Replacing these missing teeth will improve your appearance and preserve your dentine.

We offer several restorative treatments like dental bridges in ON, that can help you replace these teeth. Bridges are affordable, convenient, and can improve your smile in a few weeks.

What Is A Dental Bridge?

A bridge is made of two dental crowns fixed on adjacent teeth to close the gaps. These false teeth are cemented in place using a special block of cement. Three different types of bridges are available and are fixed based on the number and location of the missing teeth:

• Traditional bridges. These are the commonly used bridges, and they are fixed on two adjacent teeth. Your teeth need to be healthy for the bridges to be fixed.
• Cantilever bridges. These use one tooth for support. They are not as strong as the traditional ones and therefore the best dental bridges for front teeth.
• Maryland bridges. These are similar to the traditional ones, but they use a metal framework for support.

Bridges vs Implants; Which is the Best Option?

Dental bridges and implants address the same issue; they close the gaps caused by missing teeth. However, they differ when it comes to the procedure and durability.

Bridges are more affordable than implants and need at least two dental visits to be fixed. They also last for 15 years with proper care. However, your teeth need reshaping to hold the bridges in place. This is an irreversible process.

Implants, on the other hand, are metal screws fixed on the jaws to act as roots. These metal posts need a few dental visits, spread over a couple of months. You need to have a healthy jaw and enough bone support for the implants to be fixed. They are more durable and can last for more than 25 years.

Who Is A Good Candidate for Dental Bridges?

Most people with missing teeth can benefit from dental bridges. However, for our Oshawa dentist to recommend dental bridges, you need to have healthy teeth and gums, free of decay. If you have gum disease, you will first undergo periodontal treatment before the bridges are fixed.

What Can You Expect During the Procedure?

Dental bridges in Oshawa, ON, need at least two dental visits to be fixed. The process is done in a few steps:

• Examination and preparation

Our dentist will first do a comprehensive dental examination to check the condition of your bone. Your teeth need a little preparation before the bridges are fixed. The dentist will numb the gums and reshape the teeth. The enamel is trimmed off to make room for the crowns. The amount trimmed will depend on the thickness of the dental crowns used.

After the teeth are trimmed, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth and gums to create the bridges. The shade of the bridges is also selected. The dentist can at times do teeth whitening before choosing a bridge shade that matches your teeth.

Making the permanent teeth can last for three to four weeks. The dentist will cover your teeth with temporary crowns to prevent sensitivity.

• Fixing the Bridges

On your second dental visit, the dentist will remove the temporary bridges and replace them. The permanent bridges are the cement in place and hardened using laser light. The excess cement is removed and the teeth cleaned for a final look.

How Long Will the Bridges Last?

Fixed dental bridges can last for 10 to 15 years with proper care. It is important to continue with your dental practices and also get regular assessments.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Harmony Dental Care for more information on dental bridges.