Usually, after a person has lost or knocked-out his/her tooth or teeth, the most suggested treatment is by having a removable prosthetic device like dentures, and dental bridges. A removable prosthetic device can provide coverage for your lost tooth but since they are not implanted, they can provide you discomfort and some inferiority functions. Your dentist, in place of the removable dentures, however can prescribe dental bridges when you have gaps between teeth.
In having a dental bridge, you must know that your remaining teeth provides support to the crown. Like having a porcelain crown, the dental bridge is fabricated by reducing the exterior part of the teeth by drilling so that it can support the bridgework. An impression will be taken so that a dental cast or a mould can be build and then send to the laboratory. The bridge will then arrive from the laboratory and will be installed on the patient with permanent cement.
Having a missing teeth can cause psychological and health problems if not treated as soon as possible as this can cause infection to the neighboring teeth and of course, some periodontal diseases. The benefits of dental bridges are as follows:
– Prevents movement of remaining teeth
– Prevents TMJ
– Improves your biting
– Improves your speech problems
– Reduces bone loss risk
– Reduces periodontal damage and tooth decay
– Improves self-confidence
– Can last you 10 years or longer
Many patients having missing teeth prefer dental bridges compared to dentures and dental implants as these two are expensive. But there are risks in having dental bridges this includes:
– Since they are not removable, they are more difficult to maintain
– Some of the natural surrounding teeth will be removed for the placement of dental bridges
– Although they last for several years, they still need to be replaced
– Some experience tooth pain and sensitivity after the treatment
To sum it all up, there are much more benefits of having dental bridges than the disadvantages. Whether you have decided to go with this prosthetic device you still have to ask your dentist the procedure and its possible outcome. If you experience some discomforts, consider going back to your dentist to have them remove.