Dental Bridges at Barrett Family Dental

Dental Bridges in Red Bud, Illinois

A dental bridge is a custom-built replacement tooth or teeth that fill the space where one or more teeth are missing. Dental bridges can be made of metal, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), porcelain alone, or all-porcelain.

The implant will fix your teeth and help keep your face in shape.

Your dentist can recommend which type of bridge is best for you based on your specific needs.

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Why Do I Need a Bridge?

Missing teeth are a big deal. Teeth work together and do different things for you, like chewing and smiling. When one tooth goes missing, the neighboring teeth can shift and turn outwards which may make speaking or eating difficult.

If one of your lower teeth has gone missing, another tooth might slowly drop into the space. This may shift the position of your teeth and even denture or other fillings, which could affect how you bite. It could also put more pressure on muscles and have a negative effect on your oral health.

Teeth that have tipped or drifted apart from each other are also harder to clean. They pose more of a risk for tooth decay and gingivitis.

Missing teeth can lead to bone loss and may make other teeth loose, putting pressure on your jawbone and moving it in ways that can make you look older over time.

Types of Dental Bridges

Fixed bridge

Fixed bridges are cemented in place and only a dentist can remove them. The construction is stable and the feel of it is very similar to your natural teeth.

A bridge replaces the missing tooth and is secured in place by metal crowns that attach to the teeth on either side.

Placing a bridge typically requires several dental appointments. Depending on your needs, one or more teeth may be prepared to hold the bridge. Let’s use the example of a bridge supported by two teeth:

  • Your dentist will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap with a wide fissure, which the bridge will attach to. Once they are prepared, they will not look or feel natural any more.
  • Your dentist then takes an impression of the affected teeth and the space. They send this information to a dental laboratory where lab technicians take over and produce your bridge according to your dentist’s instructions
  • Your dentist will place a temporary bridge to protect your prepared teeth while you are waiting for the permanent bridge.
  • When the permanent bridge is ready, your dentist fits, adjusts and cements the bridge to the prepared teeth. This type of bridge is permanent and cannot be taken out of your mouth without a dentist’s help.

Implant-supported bridge

An implant-supported bridge is a fixed tooth replacement which anchors to the bone using metallic posts. They are similar in function to healthy teeth roots. The bridge, which has replacement teeth mounted on a tooth-colored base, attaches to the attachment points of these metal posts. The implant-supported bridge doesn’t need support from the surrounding teeth.

Getting a dental implant requires surgery to set the post in place. Good candidates will have enough bone for the implant and be in good general health. Implants may be placed in one day or may require multiple visits depending on the existence of a previous infection, the availability of bone to hold the implant and your dentist’s treatment plan.

What materials are used in a bridge?

Bridges are created from metal, ceramic, or a mixture of both. Your dentist will talk to you about the materials that work best for your mouth and overall dental health.

Caring for your bridge

A bridge can become loose if the support teeth or the jawbone are damaged by dental disease. Follow these tips for good oral health:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and clean between your teeth every day. Brushing regularly and cleaning between your teeth helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that’s always forming on the teeth.
  • Always clean between your teeth and under the bridge. You can consider using a water flosser or specially shaped brushes, threaders, and other devices to clean around your bridge and your natural teeth. The choice is yours—whichever works best for you. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you how to use these products to clean around your bridge.
  • See your dentist regularly for exams and professional cleanings.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Look for oral care products that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance. These products are scientifically proven to be safe and effective in keeping your mouth healthy.

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