Dental Bridges at ICDC
Many people might not consider missing teeth to be a serious problem. But apart from affecting your appearance it can also affect the functionality of your bite and your smile. It can cause difficulty in chewing, temperomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), problems while speaking, drifting of adjacent teeth to the gap created by missing teeth and an increased risk of tooth decay. Dental bridges are used to replace two or more missing teeth. It is made of a series of crowns that are mounted on adjacent natural teeth or implants called abutments that act as anchor and false teeth are placed in between. The false tooth/teeth are known as pontics and can be made of a variety of materials like gold, porcelain, alloys or a combination of these. Based on the location, cost, aesthetic considerations and functionality, your dentist would recommend the most suitable type of material for the bridge.
Types of Bridges : Bridges can be of the following three types
Traditional bridges: They are the most common type of bridges and have crown on the adjacent teeth or implant with a false tooth in between. They are made of ceramics or porcelain fused to metal.
Cantilever bridges: They are not as common and have adjacent teeth only on one side of the missing tooth/teeth.
Maryland bonded bridges: made of porcelain, plastic teeth and gums that are supported by metal framework. They have metal wings that are bonded to existing teeth. It is also known as resin bonded bridge or Maryland bridge.
Aftercare : Once the bridge has been cemented in place, your dentist would provide you with instructions to take care of your bridges. With proper care your bridges may last a lifetime. For this it is essential to practice good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day and proper intradental cleaning helps keep plaque away and prevents gum disease and decay that may lead to teeth loss. The cost associated with dental bridges varies with country and with the type of material used for bridges. To know more about dental bridges and the associated cost, talk to our dentist who would be pleased to help you.