Missing a tooth or multiple teeth can not only impact your smile’s aesthetics but can also cause functional issues while eating or speaking. Porcelain bridges, designed to resemble your natural teeth, can be a solution to this problem, ensuring that you can smile with confidence and function without hindrance.
Why Replace Missing Teeth with Porcelain Bridges?
There are several reasons why one might choose porcelain bridges to replace missing teeth:
- Aesthetic Appeal: Porcelain bridges are crafted to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, blending seamlessly with your existing dentition and restoring the completeness of your smile.
- Functionality Restored: A missing tooth can make it challenging to chew food properly. By filling the gap with a porcelain bridge, you can regain full functionality of your mouth, ensuring that you can eat and speak as you did before.
- Preventing Misalignment: A gap caused by a missing tooth can lead to the surrounding teeth shifting towards it, leading to misalignment and bite issues. A bridge prevents this by holding the place, ensuring that the surrounding teeth remain in their correct positions.
- Long-Lasting Solution: Porcelain is a durable material that can last for years with the right care, providing a long-term solution for missing teeth.
How Dental Bridges Work?
A porcelain bridge, as the name suggests, literally ‘bridges’ the gap created by one or more missing teeth. It comprises two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, known as anchoring teeth, and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain, however, remains a popular choice due to its natural appearance and strength.
The procedure generally involves:
- Preparation: The dentist begins by preparing the anchoring teeth. This involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Impressions of the teeth are then made, which will act as a model from which the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made in a dental lab.
- Temporary Bridge: A temporary bridge will be set in place to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your porcelain bridge is being crafted.
- Placement: On your next visit, the temporary bridge is removed, and the new porcelain bridge is adjusted to achieve a proper fit. It might require multiple visits to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. Once all adjustments are made, the bridge is cemented into place.
Ensuring Longevity of Your Porcelain Bridge
Maintaining your porcelain bridge is crucial for its longevity. Regular check-ups at Capstone Dentistry can help ensure that your bridge remains intact and serves its purpose for years to come. Combining this with a good oral hygiene routine – brushing, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash – can ensure the health of your natural teeth and gums, providing a robust foundation for your porcelain bridge.
Porcelain bridges offer an effective, durable, and aesthetically pleasing solution for missing teeth. At Capstone Dentistry, our commitment is to ensure you receive the best dental care and solutions tailored to your needs.
