Dental Bridge
Chicago, IL
At East Village Dental Centre we offer a multitude of tooth restoration services that cover different needs. One of the ways we restore teeth is through the use of a dental bridge. But what exactly is a dental bridge?
A traditional dental involves two dental crowns that are supporting pontic (false) teeth in the middle. Bridges may either be placed on your original teeth for support or as implants. Bridges are a great way to restore multiple lost teeth in a cost-effective manner. Here is what you should know about dental bridges.
Dental Bridge Procedure
Traditional bridges require a secure abutment to support the crowns and pontic teeth, which is why they are often used for patients who have had teeth knocked out but otherwise practice good oral hygiene. If the patient is deemed a good fit for a bridge, the abutment teeth will be shaped by wearing down the enamel.
After the abutment teeth are created, the patient may be given a temporary bridge to protect the abutment teeth until their permanent bridges are available. An impression of the abutments will be sent to a lab for the bridges to be made according to the specifications given. Once the bridges are created and inspected for imperfections, they can be placed. There will be no pain for either shaping the abutment teeth or placing the bridges on to them as we will use local anesthesia for both visits.
Implant-supported bridges will use dental implants placed in your jawbone as the abutment. Implant bridges are usually used if a patient’s natural teeth aren’t sufficient in strength to support bridges. They are also great for patients who would prefer implants but do not want the expense of using more than two implants to replace a row of teeth.
There are additional variations of dental bridges that will work best, depending on where you need the replacement. Cantilever bridges require only one abutment, whereas Maryland bridges are bonded to the back of the teeth.
Caring For Your Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are brushed twice a day, along with your regular teeth with fluoride toothpaste. It is just as important to clean your bridges as it is your natural teeth. You’ll also want to ensure any excess plaque is removed from between the teeth by using dental floss with a gentle back and forth motion until any stuck particulars become dislodged.
One thing to keep in mind is that bridges are not as durable as your natural teeth, and thus you’ll want to try to avoid overusing them when chewing crunchy/hard foods. It is also essential to use both sides of the mouth for chewing to retain jaw strength.
We recommend having regular follow up visits every six months to keep your oral health and bridges in check. Whether you have all of your teeth or only false teeth, it is vital to keep track of your oral health with regular checkups for your safety.
Are You In Need Of Tooth Restoration?
Restoring smiles is important to us at East Village Dental Centre. If you currently have lost teeth or have teeth that have been compromised in any way you can contact our office to schedule an appointment at 773-341-9325. |
