Dental Bridge
Columbus, OH
Dental Bridge provided by Dr. Nicholas P. Raptou
and Dr. Isaac Raptou
in Columbus, OH at Raptou Family Dental
 At Raptou Family Dental, we will help you get your smile back using a dental bridge procedure. A bridge is a fastened dental prosthetic that joins a synthetic tooth to natural teeth or dental implants to restore missing teeth. Visit us to learn more about dental bridges and other dental restoration services we offer.
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What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a false tooth or a pontic that the dentist uses to fill the gap of a missing tooth. Bridges are manufactured from different materials like alloy or gold, but most of them are made from porcelain materials to ensure they blend with your natural tooth color. Bridges improve the appearance of your teeth and restore function. This enables you to speak better and chew food more comfortably.
Why Would I Need a Dental Bridge?
If you have a missing tooth, you may need a dental bridge. You may lose a tooth due to tooth decay, injury, gum disease, or congenital condition. The bridge will help you fill the gap between your teeth. Please note that if you want this artificial tooth, you must have healthy teeth on both sides of the lacking ones.
If a tooth is missing, neighboring teeth may migrate to fill the gap. The teeth in the opposite jaw can also glide toward the gap. The extra pressure on the teeth and jaw can lead to bite issues, chewing problems, and pain. Missing teeth can also make you feel self-conscious about your appearance or smile. Dental bridges also help restore speech and pronunciation and maintain facial symmetry.
Common Types of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are mainly divided into four categories: traditional fixed bridges, implant-supported bridges, Maryland dental bridges, and cantilever bridges.
Traditional Bridges
One of the most popular forms of dental bridge is a traditional bridge. They're made of ceramic, porcelain blended with metal, or gold that resembles metal. A pontic, or false tooth, is used in these bridges and is kept in place using a dental crown on each side.
During the procedure, your dentist will contour and smooth the two teeth beside the artificial tooth. This ensures that the two crowns are correctly aligned. Traditional bridges are strong, long-lasting, and require little maintenance. They usually only work on the rear teeth.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges make use of implants rather than frameworks or crowns. An implant is surgically placed for each missing tooth, holding the bridge in place.
Maryland Bridges
Maryland bridges, less intrusive than traditional types, are tooth replacements for front teeth. Unlike traditional bridges that use crowns on the abutment tooth, Maryland bridges use porcelain or metal framework bonded to your teeth. These types of bridges are also known as adhesive bridges.
Because of the bridge attachment to the rear end of the front teeth beside the misplaced tooth, Maryland dental bridges require minimal tooth removal. These dental bridges are tooth replacements for missing incisors and rarely to replace missing molars and canines. This is because bite relies heavily on canines, and Maryland bridges are prone to shifting and loosening.
Cantilever Bridges
Cantilever bridges are comparable to traditional bridges. They're made from porcelain that's been bonded to metal. One must have one natural tooth next to the misplaced tooth for bridge support.
An artificial tooth or crown is placed on any side of the effected tooth for a cantilever dental bridge. Front teeth are usually restored with this type of bridge. Cantilever bridges can't support molars because they are not as strong.
Dental Bridge Procedure
In the first session, local sedation is given to ensure ease and reduce pain. The abutment teeth will then be shaped and filed by the dentist. To establish a clear trail to the adjacent tooth, all dentin and other additional tooth constituents are extracted.
Following the shaping of the tooth, impressions are taken to a dental lab to fashion a customized bridge fit. The dentist places a temporary bridge to cap the modeled teeth and crevice.
On the second appointment, the dentist removes the temporary bridge and cleans the teeth to be ready for the permanent bridge installation. A local anesthetic is given before removing the temporary bridge in case of sensitivity or pain. To ensure that the bridge fits properly, the dentist takes x-rays of it. After that, a special dental cement is used to adhere the bridge and teeth together.
How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are permanent, but they don't last for your entire lifetime, unlike dentures. However, dental bridges can last for over 10 years with good maintenance and care. Bridges are expected to be more durable in the future due to technology and material advancement coupled with modern application methods.
Your bridge will last a bit longer if you practice good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing daily. Your dentist will offer guidelines on how to clean and floss your new bridge.
Changing your diet will play a vital role in the longevity of your bridges. For instance, avoid foods like sticky candy, nuts, and popcorn as they may cause a problem with your abutment tooth or bridge.
Dental Bridge Benefits
The functionality of your teeth and bite is affected when you are missing teeth. Dental bridges will help you solve the problems associated with tooth loss. For example, a bridge restores your chewing ability. A dental bridge takes the shape of your face and reinstates your pronunciation as well as overall speech. Also, a bridge will ensure the remaining teeth are correctly aligned by stopping them from shifting. And most importantly, the dental bridge will restore your smile, increasing your self-esteem.
Schedule in Columbus, OH Today!
Call us at (614) 427-0449 or visit us at [[[CLIENTX:PracticeName]]] for more inquiries about bridge dentistry.
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