Dental bridges: As one of the basic components of prosthodontics, they are intended to restore the lost teeth and establish both esthetical and functional occlusion in a patient’s mouth. Even if one loses a tooth due to rot, an impact or if he/she had to have it removed, this leaves a gap that leads to a number of issues. These may consist of in particular other problems concerning chewing as well as speaking or even shifting of the neighboring teeth which is able to cause the proper positioning of one’s bite to be disrupted. Overcome these problems by providing a definitive fixed appliance that is termed ‘bridging’ if one or more teeth are missing and offering an aesthetic and functional solution that replicates the natural dentition as closely as possible.
They are made of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap; these are known as the abutment teeth while the middle tooth or teeth are referred to as pontics. E. max material is preferred because of its aesthetics which can easily match that of surrounding natural teeth. The choice of the material also relates to various aspects that include the position of the missing tooth, the state of the adjacent teeth and facet and; the client’s preference and their ability to meet the costs of the entire process.
There are various types of dental bridges and these dentals bridges are designed to provide replacement for the missing teeth depending on each individual case. Of all the types it is the most conventional – the fixed dental bridge which is made by preparing a crown for the tooth or the implant on each side of the gap as well as the pontic or the prosthetic tooth in the middle. This type of sd dental bridges is used where This is not very popular and is usually favoured for areas of the mouth that do not experience high pressure such as the incisors. The third type of Maryland bonded bridge or resin-bonded bridge has a metal or porcelain framework that sandwiches the pontic with adjacent teeth. This kind of bridge is used in cases where there are missing front teeth and is considered less invasive than a conventional bridge since it does not involve capping of the adjacent teeth. The fourth and the most complicated type is implant-supported bridge, which means that it is anchored to the implants not crowns or frameworks. This type of prosthesis is used where several teeth are missing and the need is for a more long-lasting solution.
The abutment teeth are altered by reshaping the outer surface of the crown by cutting down a part of the enamel to accommodate the crowns. Meanwhile, such a structure called a temporary bridge is put in place in order to cover the exposed teeth and gums. In the second siting a temporary bridge is pulled out while the new permanent bridge goes through a series of tests, adjustments and cementing. If for instance, the treatment proffered entail the use of implant supported bridge, several procedures are involved, the implant surgery, and fixing of which the period of healing and direct bonding to the jawbones before the bridge can be(WINNI).
Dental bridge just like any other teeth needs to be cleaned as well and taken care of in the same way. The movement of the bridge will inevitably lead to gums disease as well as the decay of the upper teeth that can weaken the structure of the bridge. There are types of floss threads that may be used to clean the side of the pontic so that it does not entrap food particles and plaque. It is also important to also undergo s regular dental check up to check the position of the bridge as well as the condition of the entire mouth. For the longevity of a dental bridge, the prognosis is anywhere between five and fifteen years though it may last longer depending on proper maintenance.
