Definition:
- Dental bridges is a common dental procedure performed to fill the gap of missing tooth/teeth by replacing it with false tooth/teeth and joining it permanently to adjacent teeth. A bridge is made up of two crowns and a false tooth. The crowns are placed one on the tooth on either side of the gap and the bridges holds a false tooth in the place.
- These false teeth also known as pontics, are made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Why it is needed:
People opt for dental bridges when there is a:
- Tooth loose/missing due to some disease, decay, injury
- To maintain optimal function for eating and speaking
- To have a perfect smile
Facts and Figures:
- Numerous dental bridges and partial dentures of gold have been found in Etruscan tombs of about 500 BC
- Bridges and crowns are mostly preferred by patients over the age of 50 years
- Dental bridges are mostly done with the purpose of improving aesthetic looks (not true functionality is the primary reason for posterior bridges. True in case of anterior or bridges for front teeth)
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages
- It is an out-patient procedure and requires 2-3 dental visits, a medical tourist can go back to home within 3 weeks or immediately if they wish to make two trips.
- Bridges play important role in restoring smile as they are very much natural in appearance
- Dental bridges have longer life span, it can last for 10 -15 years if proper dental hygiene is maintained
- Restores the ability to chew and speak properly, and distributes the forces in bite appropriately by replacing missing tooth.
- Prevents remaining teeth from drifting out of position
Disadvantages
- Teeth becomes sensitive to extreme temperature for a few weeks after the procedure
- Chances of teeth decay/ and infection are increases if proper dental hygiene is not followed
Risks and Complications:
- Reaction to anaesthetic or medication
- Bleeding
- Injury to adjacent tooth and mouth
- Loosening or misfitting of the bridge
Pre and Post-operative Care:
Pre-operative care
- Visit to dentist and have a knowledge of procedure and different type of bridges
- Know the medicine to be taken or stopped before procedure.
- Ask friend or relative to accompany and for the help after procedure
Post-operative care
- Patients may feel tenderness after the procedure which will subside gradually within few days to weeks.
Do’s, Don’ts and Precautions:
- Don’t eat or chew hard foods for 24 hours after the procedure, instead eat soft foods
- Do clean teeth properly and keep crown clean
- Do take prescribed medication on time
- Rinse the mouth three times a day with warm salt water to relieve swelling and discomfort.
- Avoid hot, cold or acidic food and beverages
- Use fluoride rinse and toothpaste
- It is important to take proper care of bridges to prevent teeth decay and have long span of dental Bridges. The dental bridges care includes:
- Regular brushing after eating and before bedtime around the bridge with a soft tooth brush
- Daily flossing
- Rinse with fluoride rinse
- Regular dental check up and cleaning
