What is a dental bridge?: The dental bridge method is an effective way to restore lost teeth, providing both aesthetics and function as before tooth loss. This method helps improve eating and chewing, and is highly appreciated by many doctors. However, some people still do not fully understand this method and why it is effective.
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What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge, also known as a dental bridge, is a popular method to restore one or more lost teeth. This method uses two teeth next to the missing tooth as a support, and attaches a porcelain bridge on top. This porcelain bridge can include 2, 3 or 4 consecutive teeth. Porcelain teeth are the same color as real teeth, helping to improve the aesthetics of the smile.
The name “dental bridge” comes from the fact that the bridge is made of porcelain. There are two types of porcelain used to make dental bridges:
- Porcelain-metal teeth: Made from alloys such as chromium-cobalt, nickel-chromium, or precious metals such as gold and silver. However, metal ceramic teeth are rarely used today because of their low aesthetics.
- All-ceramic teeth: Made entirely of ceramic, ensuring high aesthetics and durability no less than metal ceramic teeth. This is the type of teeth most commonly used when making dental bridges because it is beautiful and durable.
Porcelain bridges not only restore eating function but also bring natural beauty to the smile.
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Popular types of dental bridges
Popular types of dental bridges include: traditional dental bridge, Maryland dental bridge, and Cantilever dental bridge.
Traditional dental bridge
This is the most popular type of dental bridge today. To perform this method, the dentist will grind down the abutment teeth to create enough space for the porcelain bridge. Then, the porcelain bridge will be attached to the abutment teeth, replacing the lost teeth, forming a porcelain “bridge” that connects the teeth together.
Maryland dental bridge
Maryland dental bridge is typically used for the front teeth. It consists of a false tooth and a metal strip called a “wing.” The wings are cemented to the abutment teeth on either side of the gap, and the false tooth sits in between. To use this method, the abutment teeth must be healthy and strong.
Cantilever dental bridge
Cantilever dental bridges are often used for front and lateral incisors, as these areas do not have to bear as much chewing force as molars. Cantilever dental bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but the difference is that the abutment is only on one side of the gap, instead of both sides. This helps to minimize tooth grinding and makes the bridge lighter.
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When should you get a dental bridge?
A porcelain bridge consists of two porcelain crowns covering two abutment teeth for support, and a false tooth in the middle to replace the missing tooth. To perform this method, the dentist needs to grind down one or more teeth near the missing tooth area to make room for the bridge.
Not everyone is suitable for a porcelain bridge. This method is often applied in the following cases:
- Loss of 1 to 3 adjacent teeth.
- Loss of teeth but the teeth near the missing tooth area are still healthy enough to act as abutments.
- Loss of teeth but cannot be implanted.
To perform a porcelain bridge, the following conditions must be ensured:
- The teeth next to the bridge abutments must be healthy and strong.
- The surrounding gums must not be inflamed or swollen.
- The gums in the area where the tooth is lost must be strong enough.
- The teeth in the front jaw must be in good health.
- The implants (if any) must be properly implanted and firmly attached to the jaw bone.
- Mouth must be kept clean, free of infection or other dental diseases. General health condition of the body must be good or have been treated stably.
Advantages
Porcelain bridges have many advantages in restoring lost teeth, especially in terms of aesthetics. Here are the main benefits of this method:
- Fast implementation time: The process of making a porcelain bridge only takes about 4-5 days, much faster than implant placement.
- Feeling like real teeth: Porcelain bridges are firmly attached to the abutment teeth, helping to feel like chewing real teeth. This ensures that there is no artificial feeling or discomfort when eating and drinking.
- High durability: Porcelain bridges are durable and can chew foods like real teeth.
- High aesthetics: Porcelain bridges have a natural color, blending with real teeth on the jaw, bringing natural beauty to the smile.
- Stable and safe: Porcelain bridges are stable and do not cause unwanted reactions in the oral cavity.
- No image interference when taking X-rays: If using non-metal ceramic teeth, there will be no problem with image interference when taking X-rays or other imaging tests.
- Restoring dental functions: Ceramic bridges help restore chewing function, pronunciation and maintain facial structure.
- Preventing temporomandibular joint problems: This method helps prevent problems caused by tooth loss, such as temporomandibular joint disease.
- Long-term durability: Ceramic bridges can last a long time if properly cared for.
Thanks to these benefits, ceramic bridges are a very good choice for restoring lost teeth and improving aesthetics.
Disadvantages
Although ceramic bridges have many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to note:
- Need to grind down real teeth: To make a dental bridge, the real teeth used as pillars must be ground down. This can cause tooth sensitivity or affect the pulp.
- May need root canal adjustment: Sometimes, the abutment tooth needs root canal treatment or other measures to ensure sufficient strength and stability for the bridge.
- High quality requirements of the abutment tooth: The abutment tooth must be strong enough and meet the technical requirements to be used as a bridge abutment. Therefore, not everyone who has lost teeth is suitable for this method.
- Not suitable for long tooth gaps: If the tooth gap is too long or the missing teeth play a major chewing role, the bridge may not be the best choice.
- Does not replace the tooth root: The bridge only replaces the upper tooth, not the tooth root. Therefore, the jawbone may deteriorate and the gums may shrink due to tooth loss.
- Difficulty in cleaning: Cleaning the bridge can be difficult, leading to food getting stuck and causing bad breath. If not cleaned properly, the abutment tooth may be damaged and need to be replaced.
These disadvantages should be considered when deciding to use a porcelain bridge to restore missing teeth.
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BeamDental – The No. 1 reputable dental bridge address in Hanoi
Beamdental is a place that many people trust to treat dental problems and beautify their teeth. These are the main reasons why many people choose Beamdental:
- Experienced team of doctors: Doctors at Beamdental all have many years of experience in the dental field, ensuring professional and effective care.
- Convenient facilities: The clinic is modernly equipped, spacious and airy, helping customers feel comfortable and secure during the treatment process.
- Modern dental equipment: Beamdental uses the most advanced and safest equipment, providing effective support for diagnosis and treatment, especially in front teeth braces.
- Reasonable cost: The cost of braces at Beamdental is adjusted reasonably compared to the general level. The dental clinic also offers promotions and installment support, helping customers reduce financial worries.
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Dental bridge procedure at BeamDental
To effectively implant a dental bridge and avoid complications, it is necessary to follow the steps of standard medical techniques. Below are the steps of implanting a dental bridge that you can refer to:
Step 1: Examination and consultation
Before implanting a dental bridge, the dentist will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether you are eligible for a dental bridge. This includes checking your oral health and general health. You may need an X-ray to examine the condition of the bone and surrounding teeth. If the abutment teeth are strong enough and meet the requirements, the dentist will advise you on the method of making a dental bridge, the steps to take and the time required.
Step 2: Scaling, anesthesia and grinding the tooth stump
Before grinding the tooth stump, you will be anesthetized to reduce pain and help the process go smoothly. The dentist will grind the tooth stump according to the previously calculated ratio, ensuring that it does not cause too much damage to the real tooth.
Step 3: Take the tooth impression
After grinding the tooth stump, the dentist will take the jaw impression and send it to the lab to make the exact porcelain tooth. While waiting for the official crown, you will be fitted with a temporary crown to ensure aesthetics and protect the ground tooth area.
Step 4: Install and fix the dental bridge
Once the crown is complete, the dentist will attach the bridge to the previously ground teeth. After installation, the dentist will carefully adjust and check to ensure that the bite is tight and correct. Eating and chewing food must be normal, without causing discomfort.
Step 5: Consultation and follow-up appointment
After the bridge is attached, the dentist will check again to ensure that the bridge is working well and does not cause inconvenience. The dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor the condition of the bridge after a period of use.
With a porcelain bridge, if done properly, using quality materials, and you take good care of your teeth, the bridge will last a long time and meet your eating and aesthetic needs.
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