%20(1).png)
.jpg)
A regular bridge will not prevent bone loss that results from tooth loss, but an implant-supported bridge will.
Dr. Crosland will examine your teeth to assess your oral health and tooth loss. Based on how many teeth you are missing and how strong your supporting teeth are, we can determine if a bridge is the right replacement option for you.
To prepare the abutment teeth for dental crowns, we need to create more space by filing down your teeth and shaping them to fit ideally inside of the crowns.
After preparing your teeth, impressions will be taken and forwarded to a dental lab. While you wait for the fabrication of your bridge, a premade temporary bridge will be placed over your teeth.
The outside dental lab will receive impressions and scans of your teeth to create a mold of your teeth. This is how they will create your custom bridge.
Your abutment teeth will be etched and then dental cement will be applied to bond the crowns to the teeth. Once they’ve been bonded, your pontic tooth will fill in the gap.
A traditional bridge is by far the most common dental bridge that we place. It requires having two healthy teeth on both sides of the gap because these teeth anchor the bridge with dental crowns that are connected to a pontic tooth in the middle. Crowns are bonded to the adjacent teeth to hold the pontic tooth in place and fill the gap.
A cantilever bridge is the same as a traditional bridge but uses only one abutment tooth to anchor the bridge. This is typically used when the missing tooth is toward the back of the mouth and there are no more teeth on the other side of the gap. This abutment tooth receives a crown that is connected to a pontic tooth.
A Maryland bridge is the most different bridge construction. Instead of placing crowns over the supporting teeth, a pontic tooth is held in place with wings that extend behind the other teeth and are connected through a framework that is bonded in place.
An implant-supported bridge is the same construction as a traditional bridge except the supporting teeth are replaced with dental implants. These implants prevent bone loss and are recommended if the abutment teeth are damaged or weak.
Bridges can be made of various materials, including metal, porcelain, zirconia, or a mix of these materials.
Generally, you care for a dental bridge similar to how you care for your natural teeth. To maintain good oral health and prevent issues with the supporting teeth, you need to regularly brush, floss, and attend dental cleanings.
However, because thread floss cannot work its way in between the artificial teeth in a bridge, we recommend using an interdental brush or water flosser to floss. To prevent damage to your bridge, you shouldn’t use your teeth to open packages and don’t chew on foods that are hard and sticky. If you grind your teeth, protect your bridge and natural teeth with a mouthguard.
The average lifespan for a bridge is 5 to 7 years but this can vary from person to person depending on their oral hygiene and lifestyle. To prevent premature replacement, avoid staining foods and drinks, tobacco products, and wear and tear.
A bridge will prevent your teeth from shifting after losing a tooth.
Proudly serving patients in Greenville, Mauldin, and the rest of greenville county.
© Indigo Dental 2019
Website by Wonderist Agency | Privacy Policy
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
