- Traditional bridge – a false tooth centered between two attached porcelain crowns
- Resin bonded – Resin bonded is also known as a Maryland bridge. In Resin bonded, false teeth are fused together into metal bands. Then the false teeth are bonded to the back of the teeth on either side of the gap. This type of bridge is ideal when the missing teeth are in the front of the mouth.
- Cantilever – Cantilever is a type of bridge created to attach to only one tooth. It is attached to either side of the tooth gap.
Importance of Replacing the Missing Teeth
It will help in restoring your ability of properly chewing. Besides, replacing the missing teeth has many cosmetic advantages like it helps to improve the space which allows the surrounding teeth to shift into that space. This shifting can also create misalignment in your mouth and create many problems in your jaw joint. These shifted teeth are very harder to clean and create gum disease in your mouth. It can also cause to even additional tooth loss.
The Dental Bridge Treatment
Usually, it takes two or more visits to complete your dental bridge. On your first visit, your supporting teeth are prepared, which are on either side of your missing tooth. This process is implemented to make some room for the crowns. And these crowns are also considered as holders of the pontic.
Next, the impressions of the supporting teeth are taken and a dental laboratory can create a custom fit bridge. Then a temporary dental bridge is inserted in your mouth, which protects your supporting teeth.
On your second visit, we placed the permanent tooth bridge and adjust to ensure the proper fitting. If your bridge is satisfactory then the permanent bridge is cemented.
Dental Bridge Post Treatment Expectations
It feels some discomfort after dental bridge treatment. For few day, you have to suffer from a mild pain while chewing and feel sensitivity to temperature change. As advised by your dentist, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as Advil that contains ibuprofen, to alleviate the discomfort. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, you should visit your dentist.
Cleaning Your Dental Bridge
The longevity of your dental bridge depends in large part on the quality of the material in the tooth bridge, as well as your oral hygiene, diet and the health of the supporting teeth and gums. Please ask your dentist for proper brushing and flossing techniques.