By markhenry1513 March 30, 2015 - 8:11am

If you are embarrassed by missing teeth or have trouble chewing or speaking because of missing teeth, a dental bridge may be the answer.

Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They can help to keep remaining teeth in place and prevent them from moving in the mouth and help to maintain the face's shape.

A traditional bridge is made up of a crown for the teeth on either side of the empty space, with a false tooth (or teeth) in between the crowns. The false tooth is attached to the crowns, and it nestles into the empty space. The false tooth (called a pontic) is made from porcelain, alloys, gold, or a combination of these.

There are other types of bridges besides just the traditional bridge.
● A cantilever bridge is used when there is an adjacent tooth on only one side of the missing tooth.
● A Maryland bonded bridge has "wings" that are attached to the back of existing teeth. The false teeth are attached to the framework as well.

Your dentist will decide what type of bridge you need.

The process for getting a traditional dental bridge begins, of course, with a visit to your dentist, to see if a bridge is right for you. At the first visit to get your bridge, the dentist will prepare the teeth around the empty space, which may have to be reshaped so that crowns will fit properly over them. Then, your dentist will make impressions of your teeth so that the bridge and crowns can be made. You will be given a temporary bridge to wear while your permanent bridge is being made.

At the second visit, your dentist will put your new bridge in and adjust it. It may take a few follow-up visits after this to get the bridge fitting comfortably and properly.

Caring for Your Bridges

Bridges usually last from five to seven years but can last even longer with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. One reason that a bridge doesn't work well is because cavities develop on the teeth that support it. It is important to floss under the bridge so that cavities don't have a chance to form. Your dentist can show you the best way to take care of your bridge.

Once you have your bridge to replace a missing tooth, you will notice that it is easier to eat and to speak more clearly.

Invisalign

One of the benefits of having a bridge is that it is a way of correcting imperfections in your mouth that is hardly noticeable to anyone that doesn't know you have it. Invisalign treatment has a similar benefit.

Invisalign gradually and gently moves your teeth to straighten them. They are like braces without the metal brackets, without the wires that need to be constantly tightened, and, most importantly, without all of the discomfort of traditional wire braces!

The Invisalign aligner trays are comfortable to wear. They are made from a smooth plastic that is hardly noticeable. And, because you can remove the aligner tray when you want to remove it, that means you don't have to miss out on your favorite foods because you often have to with traditional braces, and you can brush and floss your teeth as you normally do so they stay healthy.

Visit ICC Smiles!

When you are contemplating bridges, Invisalign, or any other dental work, you want help and advice from an experienced dentist you trust. That's why you should get bridges and Invisalign treatment from your Cloverly dentist at ICC Smiles.

If you have any questions about bridges, Invisalign, or any other dental procedures, the staff at ICC Smiles are glad to help!