Prosthodontics
Your Prosthodontic Solutions: Dental Bridges in Hamilton
As the years go by, teeth may be extracted for any number of reasons or lost due to trauma. Various dental prosthetic appliances are available to replace missing teeth to help maintain the shape of your face, recreate your beautiful smile, or strengthen a weakened tooth. See our Before & After dental treatments. A dental bridge is a custom-made appliance that bridges the gap between two or more healthy teeth. At Olivieri Dental Care in Hamilton, we are more than willing to discuss possible solutions to your problem of missing teeth. Contact us today for dental bridges and other prosthodontic solutions in Hamilton.
Fixed Prosthodontics: Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are fixed (non-removable) appliances restorative dental appliances designed to replace one or more missing teeth in a way that looks and feels as if you never lost the tooth (or teeth) in the first place. They "bridge" the gap between the missing teeth and restore both the function and your smile. The procedure helps restore chewing ability, prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting, and improve oral health.
There are two types of fixed prosthodontics dental bridges.
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Conventional "bridges": Conventional dental bridges are the most common type and consist of a false tooth (pontic) held in place by crowns on the neighbouring teeth (abutments). These bridges are ideal when the teeth adjacent to the missing ones are healthy and strong, or require crowns as well.
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Implants-retained crowns or bridges: Implant-retained bridges involve dental implants to anchor the bridge instead of crowns placed on natural teeth. This option is often recommended for those who have lost teeth and prefer a more permanent, durable solution that doesn't require altering surrounding healthy teeth.
Removable Prosthodontics
A removable dental prosthesis replaces one or more missing teeth to help restore function and/or aesthetics. Here are the types of removable prosthodontics:
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Complete (Full) Denture: A complete (full) denture is routinely used to restore the mouth's health when a patient has no teeth in either one or both jaws. An arch devoid of teeth severely affects one's speech and ability to eat various foods (thus negatively impacting their health), has a profound effect on the appearance of the face, making one appear older. This prosthesis, made from acrylic (and using either acrylic or porcelain teeth), is custom-made and colour-matched for your mouth alone, gives you back your smile, provides you with a more youthful-looking face, and restores a reasonable measure of the function you had with your natural teeth.
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Implant-Retained Complete (Full) Denture: When a patient has a severely atrophied jaw or when a conventional full denture is too unstable, an implant-retained denture may be the better solution. Such an appliance provides significantly increased stability, function, and patient comfort, closely mimicking the function a person had when they had all their teeth.
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Removable Partial Denture: A Removable Partial Denture (or "Partial") is an appliance used to replace one or more missing spaces in an arch. Typically made of a metal framework with acrylic (using acrylic, porcelain, or metal prosthetic teeth), this prosthesis is designed with clasps that anchor onto the existing teeth to hold it in place. There are many types of, “partials,” all varying in degree of function and price. A discussion with the dentist is advised to determine which is best for suited for you.
Process of Getting Dental Bridges
Process of Getting Dental Bridges
The process of getting a dental bridge generally involves multiple appointments. Initially, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth, prepare the surrounding teeth for crowns (if necessary), and place a temporary bridge. In the second appointment, the definitive custom bridge will be fitted, adjusted, and permanently cemented in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions related to dental bridges:
How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
Dental bridges can last a very long time. Most bridges go 5 to 15 years before any problem arises. The usual issues with bridges are:
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Getting a cavity under the bridge (between the natural tooth structure and the prosthetic material).
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A chip or fracturing of a small part of the prosthetic material.
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A failure of the cement, causing the bride to become loose.
These problems can be addressed in a straightforward way, and patients can continue to keep the bridge in their mouth for many more years after these problems occur. Much like taking care of a car, regular maintenance appointments will lead to a longer working life of a dental bridge. In this case, a maintenance appointment takes the form of regular “cleaning” visits every 3,4, or 6 months with a check-up exam done by the dentist every 6 months, and radiographs (x-rays) once per year of the spaces between the back teeth.
How Do You Care For Dental Bridges?
Caring for dental bridges is similar to caring for natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are essential, especially around the bridge area. Floss can help clean hard-to-reach places. Avoiding extremely sticky foods (like saltwater taffy) or hard foods (jawbreaker candies, hard bones, or ice cubes).
What Happens If I Don't Get a Bridge?
If a missing tooth is not replaced with a bridge or other restorative treatment, neighbouring teeth may shift into the empty space, leading to misalignment, difficulty chewing, potential bite issues, and eventual loss of one or more teeth.
Read our blogs to stay updated, or call our dental team in Hamilton to book an appointment today.
