A dental bridge is placed between the left and right teeth to fill the gaps between missing teeth. The two remaining teeth are reduced and the old gap is closed with a bridge tooth. Tooth loss often occurs due to gum disease, receding gums, untreated tooth decay, or trauma. Dental bridges are one of the oldest and most traditional treatments for missing teeth. Especially if more than one tooth is missing, it can distort the facial and jaw anatomy over time and cause speech problems. Therefore, it is extremely important to fill the gaps caused by missing teeth. If one of the teeth is missing, over time the other tooth moves into the gap, moving to the right, left, down or up. Over time, this can deteriorate the structure of a person’s mouth and teeth and put unnecessary stress on other teeth, causing difficulty chewing or pain when eating. One of the important factors affecting people who lose their teeth is the cavities that appear when they smile. Treating tooth loss is important for their health, but it also helps them feel more comfortable and confident in their social lives. Bridges can prevent problems such as difficulty eating and speaking when there are missing teeth.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a restorative dental treatment method used to fill missing teeth. It is often used to close the gap between two or more teeth. Bridges consist of a support tooth or teeth along with an artificial tooth that replaces the missing tooth. Bridges are used to replace teeth lost due to tooth decay, gum disease or trauma, as well as to restore chewing function. This procedure helps restore the natural appearance and function of the teeth in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Dental bridges are usually placed over abutment teeth before changing the shape and size of adjacent teeth. This provides the advantages of adding an artificial tooth to replace missing teeth while preserving the natural structure of the teeth. Dental bridges can last for many years if the patient pays attention to oral hygiene and has regular dental check-ups.
How to Make a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridge construction is a dental procedure that involves a series of meticulously executed steps. First, the dentist examines the patient’s oral structure in detail and evaluates its suitability for a suitable bridge treatment. At this stage, the condition of the area where the bridge will be made is examined and x-rays may be taken if necessary. After the treatment plan is determined, the preparation of the teeth to be bridged begins. The small parts above the neighboring teeth, that is, the support teeth, are shaped and reduced.
After the shaping process, a mold (mold) is taken and the exact measurement of the area to be bridged is taken. These impressions are sent to the laboratory and used to make a custom-designed dental bridge. In the laboratory, durable materials such as porcelain or ceramics to be used in bridge construction are selected and the bridge is specially prepared.
After the bridge is prepared, its suitability is checked before it is placed in the patient’s mouth. After its suitability is confirmed, the bridge is fixed by the dentist and final checks are made. Once the bridge is secured in place, the patient is given instructions regarding care and cleaning. A dental bridge helps restore a patient’s smile and improve chewing ability by providing an appearance and function compatible with natural teeth.