Teeth serve a person for chewing food. If the jaw cannot fulfill this function, then you will have problems with the intestines, because coarsely ground food is poorly digested, and it overloads the stomach and liver. Naturally, there are various dental diseases of the oral cavity that lead to the loss of crowns. This situation requires correction. Modern dentistry has a lot to offer. Prosthetics, the prices of which range from $ 200 and above, will help to solve all existing problems. In addition, user reviews of such designs are mostly positive.
A bridge is a special design that helps replace several lost teeth. Today it is very popular, as it has an acceptable cost and other positive qualities. Let us consider in more detail all the features of this design and the stages of its manufacture.
What is prosthetics necessary for?
Replacing lost teeth is a real salvation not only for those who have lost their crowns due to trauma, but also for older people who may have poor health due to the absence of some parts of the jaw. There are situations when a person loses one or more of his own dental crowns, for example, from a blow, injury or some kind of dental disease. In this case, they must be replaced so that not only the chewing function is preserved, but also the aesthetic appearance of the smile.
A bridge allows these requirements to be met. In addition, it has a lot of advantages that make the design popular. If the restoration of the dentition is not carried out, then the person will not be able to eat normally. In this case, there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract and other body systems.
Advantages and disadvantages of designs
The bridge has a lot of advantages:
- The ability to restore chewing function and integrity of the dentition.
- Light weight.
- A large number of types of bridge structures, which allows you to choose the most suitable option in each individual case.
- Reasonable cost.
- Ease of maintenance.
- Possibility of replacing damaged design.
- Restoration of aesthetic standards.
- High level of comfort during chewing and talking.
- Quickly getting used to the design.
Naturally, the bridge has some disadvantages. For example, you need to wait for a while until the structure is manufactured and installed. In addition, the service life depends on what materials were used for the manufacture. The cost of the prosthesis also depends on this.
Contraindications and indications for installation design
It should be noted that there are certain factors that allow you to install such a denture:
- Congenital defects in dental pleasure.
- Loss of crowns due to trauma or certain dental pathologies.
- Unaesthetic appearance of a smile, if the defect cannot be fixed by other methods.
Naturally, a similar denture also has contraindications for installation:
- Not too thorough oral hygiene.
- Incorrect bite, which must be corrected by other methods.
- Bruxism, as well as a predisposition to the rapid abrasion of natural crowns.
- A serious form of periodontal disease or other dental pathologies that have gone into acute form.
- Osteoporosis (excessive friability of bone tissue).
- Inflammatory or infectious pathologies of the oral cavity.
Differences between crowns and bridges
There are different types of dental prosthetics. Naturally, the type that you choose depends on many factors. However, there are several basic designs that are used in dentistry: bridges and crowns. They have certain differences among themselves.
Crowns and bridges are distinguished by the number of elements, the method of fixing the structure in the dentition, as well as functionality. Let's consider this question in more detail. For example, a crown is an artificial cap that is worn on the entire part of one tooth located above the gum. Various materials are used to make these elements. In addition, they are not always installed in order to correct an aesthetic defect or chewing function. Sometimes the crown is mounted in order to be able to fix the structure to correct the bite or dentition.
The bridge, a photo of which you can see in the article, is a fixed structure that is fixed on several of your own teeth. It is used exclusively to replace lost natural crowns. Such a prosthesis can be supported by both its own and artificial teeth.
Varieties of prostheses
Before you start manufacturing a bridge, you need to understand what types of structures are. So, they can be classified as follows:
1. Solid. Its feature is that it can be manufactured in pure form, with cladding and spraying. This design has the form of a single whole. Solid cast bridges have certain advantages:
- Long service life.
- Low cost.
- Good abrasion, chipping resistance.
- Such a bridge is very quickly and easily manufactured.
- During the installation of such structures, the dental tissue is sharpened quite a bit.
Solid cast bridges also have drawbacks - metallic color. Therefore, they should be used to restore the part of the row that is behind the cheek and does not appear during a smile.
2. Ceramic-metal. This design is solid and made of metal, however, porcelain cladding is applied to its surface. Such prostheses are not as expensive as ceramic ones, and are not ideal in aesthetic terms. Ceramic metal bridges are in great demand and have good strength. The advantage of this design is that it is not erased and is not exposed to caries. Even if some of the porcelain is chipped, it can be restored. However, ceramic-metal bridges have certain disadvantages. For example, teeth have to be grinded very hard during installation. In addition, such bridges are quite expensive, although they are affordable.
3. Ceramic. This prosthesis is the most expensive. However, it practically does not differ from natural crowns in appearance. These designs are not susceptible to corrosion, caries. Such dentures fit tightly on the teeth, so they can not accidentally come off.
4. On the tabs. They are ceramic and metal. The most important advantage of this design is that the teeth on which it will be installed do not need to be completely turned. However, such a product is used only in case of loss of one crown and is less stable than the others. If you want to put such a bridge, its price will be from 150 to 500 dollars.
5. On implants. These prostheses are considered the most expensive. The fact is that they are mounted on implants specially implanted in the gum. It should be noted that such a design can be disassembled. The minimum cost of such a product is $ 200.
6. Plastic. Most often, such products are used in order to protect the dentition, which has already passed the processing procedure. This design is inexpensive.
7. Adhesive bridge. Most often, fiberglass is used to make such a product. A design feature is that it is removable. It can be used to replace one tooth. An adhesive bridge is of little cost.
If you want to perform prosthetics, the types of prostheses that are presented in the article will help you decide what you need.
Features of mounting structure: adhesive method
This method is considered more gentle. The fact is that you do not need to grind natural crowns to install the product. In addition, modern prostheses are made of special photocurable materials. Moreover, you can restore the dentition in this way without using the services of a dental laboratory.
I must say that the procedure for manufacturing and installing the prosthesis takes only 3 hours. The supporting elements in this case are non-removable devices that are installed on the supporting teeth. For mounting, special composite materials are used.
Preparation for prosthesis installation
Before you start manufacturing a bridge, you should definitely prepare. For example, a patient should visit a dentist so that he can carefully examine his oral cavity. This is done in order to see the patient’s problem and take measurements.
Naturally, before installing the product you will have to carefully monitor the health of the oral cavity. If you want to install fixed bridges , then all measurements must be taken carefully so that the structure fits your bite perfectly.
Note that if you have any infections or inflammatory processes of the teeth, then they must be cured before installing the prosthesis. Naturally, one must also take into account the state of the jaw. If the patient has excessively loose bones, then the installation of the prosthesis is impossible.
What materials are used in the manufacture of structures?
If you do not have a part of the jaw, or as a result of an injury you lose several crowns, then you need a prosthetic denture. You have already learned the types of prostheses. Now we should consider the question of what such products are made of.
First of all, it must be said that the structure is made of metal. The safest is the gold-platinum composition. Despite the fact that it is most suitable for a person and does not cause allergic reactions, it is too expensive for the patient. Nickel alloy is cheaper and more affordable for the average person. It is considered easier to handle, it survives well in the oral cavity. The only drawback of this composition is that it is not hypoallergenic.
Very often cobalt-chromium compounds are used. They have excellent biocompatibility. They also have high strength, therefore they can serve for a long time. Pure metal molybdenum crowns are extremely rare. However, it is added in small amounts to other formulations. Beryllium should not be used in the manufacture of bridges. The fact is that they have carcinogenic qualities, that is, it causes granuloma.
As for the external coating, porcelain is already familiar here. Despite the fact that it can be chipped, this material has excellent aesthetic properties, does not cause allergic reactions and can last a long time.
Features of the manufacture and installation of the bridge
Before you begin installation of the structure, it is necessary to make it. And this requires not only time, but also the experience of specialists. First, the clinical phase of work is carried out. That is, the specialist determines the state of the oral cavity and, if necessary, prescribes the treatment of gums or teeth. Next, you need to dissect those crowns that will serve as the basis for the bridge. That is, the teeth will need to be grinded to the required size. After taking all the measurements, the data is sent to the laboratory, where the product is manufactured.
The stages of manufacturing a bridge-like process require a certain sequence:
- First you need to make a model of the jaw based on the data. To do this, apply wax. After prefabrication of the frame, it is cast from metal. The manufacturing of the bridge itself begins.
- After the construction is covered with a very thin layer of gold, which will ensure good compatibility of the product with biological tissues. In addition, it helps to hide the dark shade of the metal.
- After this, a layer of ceramics should be applied. However, this procedure is repeated several times. In this case, the shade of teeth that is inherent in man by nature should be taken into account. Only in this case, natural crowns will not differ from artificial ones.
- During the manufacture of the bridge, the patient will have to visit the dentist several times to try on it.
It is worth noting that some designs do not require strong grinding of teeth. They should make small incisions, to which the dentures are glued. In the manufacturing process, a temporary protective prosthesis can be placed on the treated crowns. It will help protect crowns and accelerate addiction to a future prosthesis.
After the construction is made, the bridge is fitted and fitted. In this case, the dentist must check whether the bite is broken, whether the teeth close well. If necessary, you have to slightly adjust the prosthesis. If everything is in order, then you can proceed to install the product. This procedure does not last long. It is advisable to carry out the installation process with an experienced doctor, after which you do not have to redo the work.
After installation, carefully monitor the prosthesis. If you have broken off an element or a chip of the top coating has occurred, you should definitely contact the doctor who installed the structure. He is obliged to correct the defect. If you do not pay attention to the problem, then the bridge can finally deteriorate, and then you will have to pay much more for the manufacture of a new product.
These stages of the manufacture of the bridge are the main ones.
How to care for dentures?
Now it’s worth figuring out whether prostheses need to be monitored. First of all, you should learn: despite the fact that artificial teeth are practically not susceptible to corrosion and caries, they still require some care so that you can extend the life of the structure.
First of all, keep in mind that after installing it you still need to get used to it. For this, one should not load the prosthesis too quickly according to the “full program”. Otherwise, you may feel discomfort or even pain. If this sensation does not pass, then the design is worn not quite right and the defect should be corrected. To do this, contact the doctor who performed the installation. You may need to further customize the bridge.
Next, be sure to follow good oral hygiene. That is, brush your teeth twice a day, use rinsers and floss. In this case, the surface of the artificial enamel will be clean and beautiful. In this case, the prosthesis will be able to perform its functions for a long time.
If your design has changed color, then go through hygienic cleaning at the dentist or teeth whitening. If there are problems with the support crowns, then, perhaps, there will be a need to replace or reinstall the bridge.
That's all the features of using and installing the prosthesis. Be healthy!