Missing teeth can not only cause discomfort during a conversation, but also adversely affect the appearance of your smile. Moreover, the absence of such bone formations in the oral cavity causes a shift in adjacent teeth, a change in the occlusion, as well as a disorder of the jaw joint and an increased risk of caries and periodontal disease.
What are bridges?
The dental bridge is often used in dentistry to replace missing teeth. Currently, there are several types of implants, which we will discuss in detail below.
Metal dental bridges with ceramic surface
This type of bridge is the most popular among all the others. For their production, special metal-ceramic crowns are used. Their base consists of metal, and the visible upper part is made of ceramic. These materials give the prosthesis an aesthetic appearance and a snow-white smile, as well as amazing durability.
Metal-plastic prostheses
Such a dental bridge is a cheaper option than the previous one. At the base of the presented dental crowns is metal, and on top is plastic. Despite such inexpensive materials, this type of prosthesis is in no way inferior in its strength and durability to cermet ones.
Adhesive dental bridges
These dentures are attached to the posterior surface of the teeth using special composite materials.
Lock prostheses
Such a dental bridge refers to conditionally removable dentures, because in case of urgent need it can be easily removed without any damage to the structure itself. By the way, for installation, these crowns have special mounts in the form of locks.
Benefits of Bridge Dentures
Almost every dentist recommends that his patient install a dental bridge. Reviews of these designs are more positive. For example, those who happened to use such prostheses, note that:
- with proper installation, they never cause discomfort or any inconvenience;
- this design has a fairly high strength and aesthetic qualities;
- you get used to them very quickly (already in the first few days after installation);
- they ideally hide any cracks formed from several or one extracted tooth;
- such bridges do not require much attention, since it is very easy and simple to take care of them.
The disadvantages of bridges
Along with the advantages of the dental bridge has a number of disadvantages. Among them, the need to grind adjacent and often healthy teeth should be highlighted. This is due to the fact that such a structure requires support. Of course, in order to avoid this procedure, an adhesive fastening method can be used. But unlike others, it is not very reliable.
Preliminary consultation and treatment planning
After you and your attending physician (dentist) decide which prosthesis can best replace missing teeth, the doctor must provide you with a wide selection of materials from which the dental bridge will be made. Reviews on the combination of ceramics and metal are most positive among those who have ever used them or are still using them. In addition, prostheses can be made from ordinary metal, gold, porcelain, as well as from special high-strength materials (for example, the aforementioned zirconia ceramics or aluminum oxide).
So, the installation of dental bridges consists of several stages:
- Diagnosis of the dentition and condition of the jaw.
- Treatment of gums and teeth (if necessary).
- Anesthesia of all tissues.
- Preparation or grinding of supporting teeth under the crowns (approximately 1.5-1.7 millimeters).
- Taking casts and x-rays not only from supporting bone formations, but also from another dentition. This is necessary in order for the dental technician to create an ideal prosthesis taking into account the bite and the structure of the jaw.
- The process of manufacturing a plaster model of the dental bridge for preliminary fitting.
- Advice on the choice of color of the prosthesis. It is worth noting that ceramic crowns can be selected as closely as possible to the shade of natural teeth.
- The process of manufacturing a temporary bridge. This prosthesis is necessary in order to protect the treated teeth from all external irritants.
- Making a permanent denture.
- Installation of a dental bridge in the dental office and the process of cementing it.
Required care of the prosthesis after installation
As a rule, after the dentist completes the installation of the dental bridge, he provides his patient with all the necessary information on how to care for the crown. Indeed, personal hygiene is a guarantee that your bridge will retain all its characteristics (strength, whiteness) and will last as long as possible. Also, proper oral care will avoid new problems with gums and healthy teeth.
Thus, dental floss and a special holder for it will allow you to correctly and thoroughly clean those areas that surround your bridge, and between the intermediate teeth of the prosthesis itself. Use this hygiene product is required every day, especially after a meal. This will prevent the accumulation of bacteria and tartar. Among other things, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly with fluoride paste twice a day (morning and evening). In this case, it is desirable to use a brush of medium or high stiffness.
What makes up the cost of dentures?
The price of the dental bridge can be quite high. However, you can choose a cheaper option. So, the cost of crowns is based on factors such as:
- the use of additional procedures in the future (depulpation or tooth filling);
- professionalism and qualification of laboratory assistant and dentist;
- location of the selected clinic;
- type of materials used to create the bridge;
- preliminary preparation of teeth and the installation process itself.
It should be noted that today the cost of dental bridges varies between 15-45 thousand rubles. But if you follow oral hygiene and are checked by a dentist twice a year, then your dentures can last you quite a long time, which will save a significant amount of your budget.