A dental bridge is a crown that uses healthy existing teeth to hold a false tooth in place, explains a Basildon dentist. Some patients cannot wear a denture when they lose a tooth, and a fixed false tooth will usually solve the problem. In some cases a dental implant isn’t possible because the jaw line is weak; in these cases a bridge is recommended. This is a device that is made by a technician who works from X-rays and digital photos taken by the dentist, a bridge is exactly that and it places the false tooth in the gap left by the loss of the rogue tooth. A dental bridge looks like three teeth joined together, but the clever part is that the two teeth either side of the false tooth are in fact hollow. Now, a hollow tooth won’t in itself be strong enough to hold a tooth and allow it to used as a natural one. The hollow part is just so the teeth can be fitted over the teeth on either side of the gap being filled. The teeth, although they are healthy ones, will be ground down and shaped in order to take the anchor teeth on top of them, much the same away a carpenter would make a joint to join two pieces of wood together. The bridge is fixed into position with a dental cement and once the sides are sealed and the cement sets, the teeth that make up the bridge can be used fully. Unlike dentures the bridge needs no special cleaning agent or method of cleaning, the patient will be able to treat the teeth of the bridge just like a normal natural tooth. Most dentists can carry out the whole procedure and it isn’t expensive or complicated, there is little discomfort and swelling as with other methods of replacing teeth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Missing teeth are very noticeable in the dental arc. They can really spoil the appearance of an otherwise healthy and attractive smile. There are many ways to replace a missing tooth such as dental implants and partial dentures or plates, but one of the most cosmetically pleasing is a dental bridge.

A dental bridge consists of fitting two crowns to the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth and using this to bond an artificial tooth, or pontic, to give the appearance that the tooth has been replaced. The pontic can be made of numerous materials but is usually porcelain and chosen to closely match the colour of the remaining teeth. If the teeth on either side of the gap are in particularly good condition, the dentist may opt to resin bond the pontic in place using strips rather than remove any healthy enamel unnecessarily. A cantilever bridge is when the missing tooth only has remaining teeth one side. In this case two or more dental crowns will be placed on that side to act as extra support for the artificial tooth.

Dental bridges not only restore the cosmetic appearance of the teeth but also prevent any further movement of the teeth that can happen when a tooth is missing. This can encourage the remaining teeth to move and rotate causing bite interruptions. These can be the cause of painful and irritating jaw conditions such as TMJ.

If you have suffered a missing tooth and are keen to restore the appearance of a healthy smile, make an appointment to see a Chelmsford dentist today and ask about your suitability for a dental bridge. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

A smile can be completely ruined by a missing tooth, no matter how nice the other teeth are, the missing tooth will immediately draw the attention of the eye. This can be a source of great anxiety for people with missing teeth who often seek to replace it with an artificial one from an Epping dentist. There are several options for replacing missing teeth ranging from permanent dental implants to more temporary and removable partial dentures. One other option for restoring the appearance of a smile is a dental bridge.

Missing teeth also need replacing for a number of dental health reasons. Once you have lost one tooth it increases your chances of losing more, especially if the tooth was lost to decay or gum disease in the first place. Vacant spaces in a dental arc are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria as the hollows in the soft gum tissue are very difficult to clean effectively. This increases the chances of further infection spreading around the mouth. Missing teeth also encourage movement of the teeth, which can rotate and lean into available space causing changes in bite and profile. This can cause irreversible damage to the facial tissue and be the cause of nasty jaw and muscular complaints.

Dental bridges solve all of these health problems as well as providing a cosmetic restoration to the smile. The bridge itself consists of an artificial tooth attached by dental crowns or resin bonded strips on either side of the missing tooth. This creates the impression of a full set of teeth without having to replace the whole tooth, root and all. Depending on the condition of the remaining teeth and how well the bridge is cared for it can last for up to twenty years before it will need replacing, and can carry out most of the functions of a real tooth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.