BRIDGES

Missing teeth when not replaced will have serious manifestations on the oral cavity and facial contours.
Teeth in the oral cavity work together as a single entity, when a tooth is lost the neighbouring teeth drift or tilt into the empty space, affecting the bite and the jaw joints resulting in pain. So it is always advisable to replace the lost teeth at the earliest.
Missing teeth can be replaced using a bridge, which is a fixed rehabilitation used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is of two types:
1. Tooth supported bridge
2. Implant supported bridge
1. Tooth supported bridge
Here the missing or the lost tooth is replaced by taking the support of adjacent teeth on either side of the vacant space called the abutments and the artificial replaced tooth is called the Pontic. For a bridge to be fixed in place, the abutments(adjacent teeth) have to be prepared, that is they are contoured to make space for a crown to sit on them and then the impressions are taken for fabrication of the prosthesis which will be cemented on the abutments.
2. Implant supported bridge
As the name implies, Dental implants are used as a support instead of disturbing the natural teeth. Dental implants are titanium posts inserted into the jaw bone to support a crown or a bridge. This form of bridging is supported to last for a life time and are more sturdy and avoids bone loss.
How much does a bridge cost?
Cost of the Dental bridge depends on
• Number Of missing teeth
• Nature of fabricating material like metal alloy, porcelain, zirconia or a combination of the above
• Whether it is a tooth supported bridge or an implant supported bridge.
Benefits
• Restores your natural smile
• Improves speech and chewing capacity
• Maintains proper bite
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Long life expectancy if proper hygiene is maintained.
Caring for your bridge
• Brush twice a day
• Have a healthy and balanced diet
• Floss your teeth and under the bridge habitually
• See your Dentist every six months.