How Dental Bridges Can Restore Your Bite and Functionality

You can have a complete smile with a dental bridge. Tooth loss interrupts proper eating and speaking. This dental replacement option allows the wearer to regain proper oral function. Knowing how a dental bridge can bring back your oral functionality can motivate you to set an appointment with your dentist soon.

By enhancing chewing and biting

It can be challenging to bite and chew if there are teeth missing. Research shows that some people even experience pain. The remaining teeth work double time to disperse the force from biting or chewing. Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge can complete one’s smile. It can also make eating easier. This dental replacement can then help the individual gain proper nutrition.

By preventing dental shifting

Losing a tooth will leave a dental space. This vacancy will signal the remaining natural teeth to move into the space. Dental shifting can lead to bite issues, misalignment, and crowding. A dental bridge prevents dental shifting from happening. It maintains the dental space and plays the role of the missing teeth.

By producing clearer speech

Studies show that the front teeth are valuable in forming words. These teeth work with the tongue and lips to form basic word sounds. Missing teeth make words difficult to pronounce. A dental bridge can fill the dental gap. This dental replacement can then make speech clearer and more comfortable.

By supporting good oral hygiene

Good daily oral care is necessary for a dental bridge to stay intact for the rest of the person’s life. Neglecting these restorations can lead to damage and loose support. Brushing well with fluoride toothpaste twice each day and flossing before bed are good habits to maintain. Keeping regular dental appointments is also important. Make sure to avoid chewing on hard foods because these may damage the dental bridge.

By contributing to general health

A dental bridge prevents dental misalignment and dental shifting. It also allows better oral hygiene. Cleaning is easier when a bridge is there to support the remaining teeth. These restorations make the mouth healthier.

The parts of a dental bridge

This restoration combines functionality and aesthetics to enhance one’s oral health and smile. The abutment teeth support the pontics. Changing them a little will allow the custom-fit crowns to set comfortably. The pontics are the artificial teeth suspending over the dental gap. These teeth are made of zirconia or porcelain, which resembles the clarity and color of natural teeth. The dentist may use metal alloys for a dental bridge’s inner framework for more strength.

The types

A fixed dental bridge is the most common type available. The dentist cements them onto the abutment teeth. These restorations provide a high level of stability. They also need little maintenance.

A removable dental bridge uses a metal wing to attach behind the abutment instead of dental crowns. These replacements are fit for specific situations. The dentist will recommend it if the abutment teeth are not stable enough. The abutment teeth may have decayed or fractured.