THE DENTAL BRIDGE

WHAT  IS  A  DENTAL  BRIDGE?

A missing tooth can be replaced by a false tooth that is firmly anchored
to crowns constructed on the teeth on either side of the gap.  The whole
assembly is called a bridge and this particular area of dentistry is 
referred to as crown and bridgework.
Porcelain bonded to platinum alloy are the materials of choice.
Unlike partial or full dentures which can be removed, a bridge is permanently
cemented in place and feels very natural.  However, bridges are expensive.
It takes the dentist and the dental laboratory technician much longer to do crown and bridgework than most other dental procedures, and the materials used are very costly.

WHAT  DOES  HAVING BRIDGEWORK  INVOLVE?

Before a bridge is considered, your remaining teeth must be in the right 
position and capable of supporting a bridge.  A dental bridge needs strong
teeth as foundations on either side.  If support teeth are heavily decayed
or the gums are diseased, the dentist will fix these problems first before
deciding whether to proceed with the bridgework. 
The area is numbed by an injection.  The enamel on the support teeth 
is drilled away and the teeth shaped into elongated cones.  A mould is 
taken and an accurate replica model is made.
Before the patient leaves the dental surgery, a temporary plastic bridge
is fitted.  This protects the prepared teeth until the next appointment. 
The bridge is then built on the replica model by the dental technician. 
This may take several days to complete. 
Busy technicians may require 2 or 3 weeks to complete your work when 
they have a heavy workload. 
At the second visit the new bridge is tested in the mouth for proper fit, shape
and colour. 
Once you and the dentist are satisfied with the fit and the appearance, the 
bridge is cemented to the teeth and becomes a permanent part of your smile.
Bridges for back teeth are often made entirely of gold; However, those for 
front teeth or for back teeth that show when you smile, are usually made from 
porcelain bonded to a metal core. 
Recent advances in porcelain technology mean that crowns and bridges can 
be entirely constructed of porcelain without the need for metal at all.

WHEN  IS  A  FIXED DENTAL BRIDGE  NECESSARY?

1. When one or more useful teeth are missing from your mouth and if these missing teeth are needed for chewing or for cosmetic reasons.

2. Where your arch of remaining teeth needs to be stabilized to prevent gradual movement of remaining teeth and eventual mal-occlusion.

3. Where insufficient teeth are missing to warrant making a removable denture.

ORAL  HYGIENE  WITH  CROWN  AND  BRIDGES

Before having a crown or bridge made, think it over carefully and obtain
full details, including the cost of the treatment, from your dentist.  If
you have any doubts, do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion. 
Crown and bridgework is expensive and requires skill and meticulous 
attention to detail on the part of the dentist and the dental technician. 

Tooth bonding is the treatment of choice for chipped or stained teeth.

Plaque must be removed at least once daily from all parts of a bridge.

A toothbrush is used to clean plaque from the tooth surfaces, dental floss
can be used to clean plaque from between the teeth. 
Special miniature brushes, much like small bottle brushes, are available to remove plaque from around the artificial tooth part of a bridge. 
Floss threaders and superfloss are very helpful aids to cleaning dental bridges. 
If plaque is allowed to accumulate around a jacket crown or bridge it can cause trouble. The part of the tooth near the join with the crown may begin to decay. The adjacent gums can become red and inflamed, leading to bone loss and a loosening of the teeth in there sockets.

Fortunately, plaque caused problems are completely preventable, so
after getting your new bridge, be sure you know how to clean it properly.
It is the only way for you to protect your investment.