Losing a tooth not only affects your appearance but also your chewing ability and speech clarity. If you have a gap in your smile and don’t know what to do, visiting a professional dentist in Folkestone is a wise decision.
Dental bridges are a boon for people with tooth loss. This will fix what you are missing. And the process is simpler than you might have expected.
What is a dental bridge?
It is a fixed prosthetic that bridges the space left by one or more missing teeth. This bridge is made of artificial teeth held firmly in place by crowns. The crowns are generally fitted on the natural teeth on both sides of the gap. People who have already tried dentures know they are removable. However, the bridge is permanent and isn’t removable. It sits in your mouth just like the natural teeth. This helps you to eat, talk and smile without any issues.
Why are missing teeth more than a cosmetic issue?
When a tooth goes missing, the surrounding teeth are also affected. They either shift or gradually tilt towards the space. This makes biting difficult, and cleaning the teeth gets difficult as well. Gaps can also change the way you chew and put uneven pressure on the remaining teeth. If you keep this unattended for years, it can lead to jaw discomfort and increase the risk of decay.
What are the benefits of choosing a bridge?
A well-fitted bridge not only fills the gap but also restores the normal chewing function of the teeth. It helps to:
Prevent teeth shifting by keeping the nearby teeth stable and preventing them from drifting
Maintain the facial shape since missing teeth affect the facial structure
Blend naturally with the shape and the shade of the existing teeth
Helps in distributing the bite force evenly across the whole mouth without putting strain on the other teeth
Dentists prefer dental bridges as they are non-invasive, instant solutions for tooth loss compared to other alternatives.
What happens during the dental bridge fitting process?
Step one: assessment
The dentist will examine the gap, condition the surrounding teeth, and confirm whether a bridge is possible.
Step two: preparing the anchor
The teeth on either side of the gap are reshaped by removing a small amount of enamel. This makes room for the crowns that will anchor the bridge.
Step three: taking impressions and making a temporary bridge
Once the anchor is created, the dentist will take impressions for customised bridges which can be crafted to fit inside the mouth exactly. Once the temporary impressions are taken, the dentist will provide temporary bridges to protect the other teeth.
Step four: fitting and final bridge
Once the customised bridge is ready, the dentist will fit it and check the patient’s comfort. After making a few adjustments, the bridges will be fitted using adhesive. The dentist will check the final fitting to ensure that the bridge fits naturally with the existing tooth.
Book your appointment with Cheriton Dental Practice. We offer a full range of NHS and private dentistry, as well as private orthodontic treatment for children and adults, provided by a specialist orthodontist. We also offer cosmetic dentistry, one of our most popular services today.