According to epidemiological studies by the American College of Prosthodontics, “30 percent of the adults between the ages of 65 and 74 years have no natural teeth in the United States.” Most have lost their natural teeth due to gum diseases, cavities, traumas, or injuries.
Losing one or more teeth affects how a person chews, speaks, and smiles. It can also alter facial structure if more teeth are lost. However, it is not a big deal to restore a tooth nowadays. The advancements in modern dentistry have enabled dentists to replace a missing tooth with an artificial one.
Now it is possible with the help of the dental bridge process, which restores the look and function of the missing teeth. This blog will provide detailed insight into what to anticipate from a dental bridge before and after. But first, understand this dental procedure in detail.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
It is a dental procedure that replaces a false tooth with a false one. It bridges the gaps between two healthy teeth where one or more teeth are missing. Dentists usually put crowns on the healthy teeth on each side of the gap to support the bridge. These healthy teeth are referred to as abutment teeth, and false teeth are placed between them.
The false teeth, or pontics, are made from gold, porcelain, alloys, or some other combination of metals. Dental bridges act as an alternative to dentures, and they are commonly used for the front teeth.
Next, look at the reasons why a person needs this dental treatment.
Reasons For Getting a Dental Bridge
The following are the common reasons for a bridge replacement.
- Loss of tooth due to injury to trauma
- Abrasion or erosion of the front tooth
- Discolored or chipped-off tooth
- Chewing difficulty due to worn-off tooth
- Gap between the natural teeth
- Improper size or shape of the teeth
Furthermore, you need healthy teeth on both sides of the gap to get this treatment. Let’s see what to expect before and after this dental treatment.
Dental Bridge Before and After
The bridge replacement is critical in the restoration of dental and overall oral health. It also enhances self-esteem by removing all dental imperfections and making a smile more beautiful.
For example, the front teeth become prominent when a person smiles. They may shatter the person’s confidence when smiling or talking if they are not aesthetically maintained or in place.
A dental bridge is a great solution to treat such aesthetic imperfections and restore smile and confidence. It replaces natural teeth, both aesthetically and functionally, with artificial teeth. The significant difference can be seen in the below examples of dental bridge pictures before and after. It also does not require invasive surgery and proves much smoother than other dental restoration procedures.
Now, let’s jump into the advantages of this dental treatment to understand it thoroughly.
Benefits Of a Bridge
A bridge replacement procedure provides multiple benefits, but the most significant are the following.
- Makes a smile more attractive
- Improves the ability to speak, chew, and bite
- >Prevents bone loss from the jaw at the site of missing teeth to maintain facial structure
- Prevents existing teeth from drifting out of place and moving to the empty space
All the benefits mentioned above increase the confidence to smile big and speak without hesitation.
Types Of Dental Bridges
There are four main categories of bridges, and the type that the dentist recommends depends on the location and type of the affected teeth.
1. Traditional Dental Bridge
It is the most common type of bridge and consists of two or more crowns and fake teeth. The crowns support the artificial teeth made of metal, porcelain mixed with metal, or ceramic. It proves effective for replacing one or two missing teeth and is preferable in the following cases.
- When the adjacent teeth are strong enough to support the pontics
- Discolored or chipped-off teeth
- After the root canal treatment of infected teeth
- Gaps between the two or more teeth
Once the procedure is complete, the results before and after the front dental bridge prove surprising. It eliminates all cosmetic and functional imperfections due to missing or damaged teeth.
2. Cantilever Bridge
The Cantilever Bridge is different from the traditional one as it needs only one abutment instead of two. Therefore, it is a preferable procedure when there are no healthy teeth on the other side of the gap to support the false tooth.
However, it is weaker than the traditional bridge as it has no support on one side. Therefore, it is an ideal solution for bridging the back teeth because it can put more force on the false teeth for chewing. In addition, it is usually less expensive than some other options for bridge replacement.
3. Maryland Bridge
It is also called a "resin-bonded bridge" and is perfect for replacing upper teeth in the mouth. Wings or flaps, typically made of ceramic or metal. Dentists place the flaps on the back side of the teeth, making them invisible from the front.
It significantly influences an individual's personality by correcting the defects of the front teeth. In addition, the appropriate care of the dental bridge before and after this process causes it to last for about 10–15 years.
4. Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
It is the most successful type of dental bridge, in which one or two dental implants provide support for the bridge instead of natural teeth. For example, if five front teeth are missing, a dentist will place two dental implants in the arch and three pontics with two abutments at the site of the missing teeth.
It is an ideal method when replacing each missing tooth with implants is impossible. The success and longevity of this procedure are also much higher than those of the traditional method. However, it can take several months to complete this procedure.
Things to Consider Before and After a Dental Bridge
For the best outcomes, it is essential to be cautious with a dental bridge before and after the treatment. The important tips are as follows.
- A patient should provide a complete dental history to the dentist for easy diagnosis, screening, and treatment.
- After the dental bridge treatment, it is mandatory to brush and floss the teeth regularly. It will prevent the deposition of plaque, tartar, or other strains of infectious bacteria.
- It is essential to go for a professional dental cleaning at regular intervals.
- A diet higher in vegetables, fruits, and fibers than meat is suitable for persons with dental bridges.
To Wrap it Up!
A dental bridge is an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth with false ones. It looks like natural teeth and boosts self-esteem by restoring normal function and the smile of teeth. Many factors determine the success of a dental bridge before and after it is installed.
If you are a dentist and want to help your patients regain their self-esteem, then using high-quality dental tools is essential. You can get such instruments from GerDentUSA, as we have been supplying premium dental tools for the last three decades.
Over and above that, we are ISO 13485 certified and manufacture our dental tools according to the guidelines of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). In addition, most of our tools are made of German stainless steel, making them resistant to rust and corrosion. We also offer customization of dental instruments to our customers.
FAQs
Do We Provide Rust-Proof Tools?
Yes, our tools are resistant to rust and corrosion, as we use high-quality materials to manufacture them. For example, most of our tools are made of German stainless steel, which makes them resistant to rust and corrosion.
Do We Offer Variations of Our Dental Tools?
Yes, most of our dental tools have multiple variations to give dentists various options. It helps them select the most suitable tool for an ongoing dental procedure.
Also Read: Maximizing Dental Patient Retention: Tips and Techniques for Success
