Your smile is your biggest asset, but not everyone is confident with their smile. Some people tend to shy away from grinning too much simply because it shows off their teeth — or the lack thereof.
But be it due to a gap in the front teeth or a broken tooth. One solution is replacing your front teeth with a bridge. In this blog, we’ll tell you all you need to know about dental bridges and how to treat your front teeth effectively.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic for your teeth that uses a fake tooth, also known as a Pontic.
The pontic, or fake tooth, is attached to two additional crowns on either side of it. This is what gives the prosthetic its bridge-like appearance. Moreover, the crowns act as support for the pontic, strengthening and cementing the tooth in the missing oral cavity.
Can You Get a Dental Bridge on Your Front Teeth?
Many people who suffer from teeth loss opt for a replacement procedure via dental bridges. So it’s pretty normal to get a bridge on your front teeth. Plus, various factors can cause your upper incisors to fall off or get damaged beyond healing. As a result, your dentist might recommend you get a dental bridge as a last resort. Here are some reasons that could lead up to such a scenario:
- Dental Infection
- Physical Trauma
- Tooth Erosion
- Discoloration
- Chipped Tooth
- Natural gap between front teeth
- Irregular teeth size or shape
What is it Like Replacing Front Teeth With a Bridge?
There are multiple types of dental bridges. However, four of them stick out the most.
- Traditional Dental Bridge
- Cantilever Dental Bridge
- Maryland Dental Bridge
- Implant-supported Dental Bridge
Each of these bridges is made from different materials and crafted in a distinct manner. Thus, when it comes to replacing your front teeth with a bridge, depending on its characteristics, it might feel odd at first.
Although you might only have a single fallen or damaged tooth, the adjacent teeth next to it will also get checked and, in some cases, filed down. Albeit scary, this step is necessary to cement the bridge better, so it doesn’t move or slip away. Plus, if you select a bridge that doesn’t require an implant insert, your teeth will have to be fitted inside custom-made crowns.
Once done, you won’t even feel the difference! There may be slight discomfort at the start, but that will only last for a couple of days at most.
How Many Teeth Can a Bridge Replace?
Depending on your needs and preferences, a dental bridge can replace one to four teeth. If the entire set of your upper incisors needs to be replaced, then your dentist will have to carefully settle the bridge in place.
Usually, one or two teeth are restored through a bridge. Only in rare cases do dentists take on cases where up to four teeth need attention. The entire process depends on the teeth surrounding the missing cavity since they’re the ones who will have to get shaved to fit a crown.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, replacing front teeth with a bridge isn’t all that easy. It takes time and multiple screenings for the dentist to get it right. Nevertheless, for more information, contact Brookshire Smile Dental – Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at (281) 934-1010.