Dental Bridges

What are Dental Bridges and how do they Work?

Dental bridges are reliable in replacing missing teeth. They’re considered fixed prosthesis, and they can replace one or more missing teeth. Dentists place them on natural teeth or dental implants. Our dentists at Aloha Dental specialize in dental bridges.

For years, they’ve performed thousands of dental bridge procedure for their clients with missing teeth. They still look aesthetically pleasing many years after.

When you lose a tooth, you must replace it ASAP. The reason for this is that the teeth sitting next to the missing teeth will shift.

Opposing tooth also extrudes or drifts down into spaces of tooth loss and may cause interference on your bite.

Because of the shift in teeth, periodontal disease can begin. Unfortunately, the symptoms will only appear if the condition is already in its advanced stage.

Due to such complications that arise from missing teeth, dentists recommend placement of a temporary bridge within one to two week after teeth extraction. The dental bridge will ensure the teeth won’t shift, and it also prevents bite damage.

Pros of Dental Bridges

There are many pros of getting dental bridges. One of them is time, as it only takes a week to obtain the permanent bridge. They resemble natural tooth structure and they are fixed, meaning they cannot be removed from the mouth by the patient. You may also opt to have a brighter tooth color if a brighter smile is of your needs or concerns.

Our dentists at Aloha Dental recommend getting the same color as the remaining natural teeth, unless you wish to whiten the remainder of your teeth to match the shade of your new dental bridge.

Another great thing about dental bridges is that you don’t have to undergo a surgical procedure. That is, no dental implant may be necessary.

Dental bridges prevent the occurrence of bite problems when promptly used to replace missing teeth. Thus, you can avoid shifted teeth or bite interference.

Dental bridges require the subject tooth to undergo reshaping or preparation. This is often facilitated when the teeth that will be used to support a dental bridge have dental crowns.

One important detail is that the teeth supporting the dental bridge must have good bone support.

Can dental bridges fail?

To ensure the longevity of dental bridges, a proper treatment plan is vital. Any dental restoration requires patients to practice proper oral hygiene and maintenance.

Patients must also see their dentists every six months or as recommended.

A heavy bite is one of the reasons a dental bridge may fail. The choice use of materials used to fabricate a dental bridge may also cause fracture or failure.

How long will they last?

They can last a lifetime but it may depend on how you well you maintain them.

To ensure longevity, you should practice appropriate oral hygiene as directed by your dentist.

See your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleanings and dental examinations. Chewing hard foods or biting down on hard objects with your dental bridge should also be avoided when possible.