Missing teeth require replacement since they can lead to adverse effects like ridge or jawbone resorption, premature aging, and damage to the adjacent natural teeth. 

The facility providing dental care for your family in Greenbelt offers state-of-the-art dental bridges that can replace one or more missing teeth to enhance your overall oral form, function, and aesthetics.

Dental bridges- an overview

A dental bridge is an artificial prosthesis that can help the dentist replace missing teeth. It can replace one tooth or a row of missing teeth. The appliance literally bridges the gap that develops between two teeth. Custom bridges are fabricated that match the shade of your natural teeth. 

A dental bridge consists of the following parts:

• Abutment: This is the structure that supports the dental bridge. These actually refer to the adjacent natural teeth. 
• Pontic: The artificial teeth that fill the gap left behind by missing teeth. 

There are four main types of dental bridges, namely:

• Traditional dental bridge
• Cantilever dental bridge
• Maryland dental bridge
• Implant-supported bridge

Indications of dental bridges

When you have missing teeth, it can affect you in several ways. A dental bridge is indicated for:

• Restoring your smile
• Restoring the ability to chew properly
• Restoring speech and pronunciation
• Maintaining the shape of your face
• Re-adjusting your bite to distribute the forces equally
• Preventing drifting of your remaining adjacent teeth 

Benefits of dental bridges 

Dental bridges offer the following advantages:

• Offer a natural replacement for missing teeth
• Cost-effective procedure 
• Preserves the integrity of the remaining teeth
• Offer permanent solutions
• Highly durable and long-lasting with proper care
• Preserves the health of your jawbone 

Dental bridge placement

Placing a dental bridge usually requires two to three visits. 

The procedure is as follows:

• Your dentist will evaluate your adjacent teeth to determine if they are strong enough to provide anchorage to the missing tooth. 
• If necessary, your dentist may perform root canal treatment to the adjacent teeth. 
• The adjacent teeth will be prepared using ultrasonic instruments to ensure the dental bridge fits snugly. These act as abutments. 
• Full mouth impressions are recorded and sent to the lab for fabrication of the crown.
• Your dentist will select the shade for the bridge crowns according to your natural teeth. 
• Once the bridge is fabricated, your dentist will place it using dental cement. 
• The bite will be checked, and necessary corrections will be made.

Conclusion

Missing teeth can leave a gap in your smile and hinder your ability to chew and speak properly. Dental bridges are excellent replacements that are affordable and more comfortable.