Losing a tooth can be scary and concerning. Unfortunately, tooth loss is extremely common, and some of the underlying reasons include dental disease, decay, cavities, gum disease, and inadequate oral hygiene. If you are missing two or more teeth in a row, your dentist may recommend replacement using dental bridges. Bridges are regularly used in restorative dentistry, and most dental services Indianapolis, IN, offer the option. In this comprehensive review, we will check the pros and cons in detail.
Explaining the basics
Before we discuss other things, let’s start by understanding a dental bridge. A bridge has two crowns on both ends, while the prosthetic teeth lie in between. The crowns are either fixed on adjacent teeth or dental implants. Dental bridges are made from a wide range of materials, including gold, silver, and porcelain, although porcelain is often preferred because it matches the natural color of teeth.
Many advantages
Losing more than one tooth in a row can affect the aesthetics of your smile, and a dental bridge resolves those concerns. As far as functionality is concerned, a bridge allows you to eat and chew normally as the gap between the existing teeth is addressed. You will also notice a significant difference in your speech function, especially if you are having issues with making sounds because of the missing teeth.
Today, dental bridges are made mostly of porcelain, which resembles the color of surrounding teeth, making it almost impossible for anyone to know that you have a restoration. This can boost your self-esteem, and you can smile more confidently.
There are also underlying benefits of dental bridges. When you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth start to shift from position, which can cause a misaligned bite. The problems only get worse when you have lost two or more teeth. Because dental bridges fill the gap, they help avoid the shifting of other teeth and additional bite concerns. This also helps maintain the facial structure.
For many patients, the treatment time is a great advantage. It usually takes two appointments and two weeks to get a dental bridge. During the first appointment, the dentist completes the necessary preparation work and takes bite impressions, while in the next appointment, they fix the custom bridge from the lab in place.
On the flip side
If you get a traditional dental bridge, your dentist must prepare the teeth on either side for the crowns. For many patients, that may be a concern, especially because the healthy abutment teeth get damaged for no reason. Also, with dental bridges, there is a risk of bacterial growth when the restoration is not fitted well. There is also a risk of the teeth structure changing because of the bridge.
Dental bridges are not for everyone. You must have healthy abutment teeth to hold the bridge, and if the supporting teeth are weak, the restoration may collapse. This may require removing the crown-fitted teeth and replacing them with implants.
Should you get a dental crown?
There is no one answer to that. Bridges are effective and useful, but every patient’s case is unique. Your dentist will discuss all effective ways to replace your missing teeth, and if they believe you have healthy abutment teeth that can hold a dental bridge, they may recommend the treatment. Your dentist may also suggest getting dental implants and placing the bridge on implant posts to avoid buffing the healthy teeth. Much like other restorations, dental bridges must be replaced at some point, usually after 10 to 15 years. If you have any questions, don’t shy away from discussing them with your dentist in Indianapolis.
