How Long Does A Tooth Bridge Last?

Tooth bridges are artificial replacements for missing natural teeth provided by dentists. Bridges help restore your smile and the functionality of your mouth after losing your natural teeth.

When you have a missing tooth, including front teeth, a tooth bridge helps restore the appearance and function of your teeth. The bridge closes the gap left by your missing tooth. If you are confronting a situation with missing teeth, discuss the problem with your dentist to determine whether it is suitable.

Who Needs a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges help if you have a missing tooth or teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury are the most common reasons for missing teeth. It is possible that you may have a genetic condition and may have been born without teeth. To get dental bridges, you must have healthy teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing tooth.

What Do Dental Bridges Appear like?

Typical dental bridges have:

• Abutment Teeth: Your dentist accommodates two dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth gap to function as anchoring on your natural teeth. The supporting teeth can also be dental implants.
• Pontics: pontics are artificial teeth filling the gap and attaching to the crowns.

Why Would You Need a Dental Bridge?

Your teeth are designed to function together. The neighboring teeth begin moving into the vacant space when you have a tooth missing. The teeth in the opposite jaw also moved upwards or downwards towards the opening. The movement of your teeth causes bite problems, chewing difficulties, discomfort from the additional stress on your teeth and jaw, besides self-consciousness about your appearance and smile. Dental bridges help you overcome these issues more when you decide to bridge the gap between your teeth.

What Are the Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge can help your bite and prevent your remaining teeth from moving out of place. Bridges restore your chewing and speaking ability besides your smile. Most importantly, bridges restore your mouth’s functionality and prevent other complications that will soon confront you if you decide not to replace the missing tooth.

Is It Challenging Getting Dental Bridges?

The process of getting dental bridges is as challenging as you imagine. However, you must schedule two appointments with your dentist before having artificial teeth.

During the first appointment, the dentist starts by abutment teeth preparation by reshaping the supporting teeth. The dentist removes enamel past the dentin to accommodate the dental crowns. The dentist also impressions the tooth or takes digital scans for the dental laboratory to custom create your bridge, artificial teeth, and dental crowns. You will receive a temporary bridge to protect the exposed areas in the mouth while the laboratory makes your bridge.

During your second appointment, your dentist removes the temporary bridge and places the permanent fixed dental bridge. They also check the bridge and make adjustments if required to ensure it fits you comfortably. The permanent bridge and crowns are bonded with special cement if all things are acceptable.

If you have lost a front tooth, you can get a front teeth bridge in Iowa. The dentist provides a resin-bonded bridge that doesn’t require enamel removal of the neighboring teeth because it has a framework of metal or porcelain to bond your existing teeth.

How Long Does a Bridge Last on Your Teeth?

Dental bridges are incredibly durable and last five to seven years on your teeth. However, you can extend their lifespan to a decade by maintaining good oral hygiene and getting professional cleanings frequently. Therefore you don’t have to worry that you will need replacements soon unless you neglect the dental bridges by leaving them uncared.

Caring for Dental Bridges

Your dental bridge’s success relies on the health and strength of your remaining teeth. When you have dental bridges in your mouth, it is essential to prevent tooth decay and gum disease leading causes of tooth loss. You must maintain your teeth and gums appropriately by brushing twice daily and flossing at least once.

In addition, having a balanced diet is recommended by dentists to give your teeth the minerals and vitamins they need for durability. You must also get professional dental cleanings frequently because dentists can help detect problems in your mouth early when treatments deliver better outcomes.