A bridge is an excellent option at our dentist in Waterlooville if you've lost multiple teeth in a row. It is a small partial denture that can either be removable by cupping the underlying gum or fixed to the teeth around it. Let's explore more about how bridges can be implemented and how they synergise with dental implants.
How bridges work
A bridge is a partial denture that allows a set of 2 to 4 teeth in a row to be replaced. They can be implemented in several different forms and go back a very long time, with some historic bridges even carved from whalebone and Ivory. All of them aim to return functions and the appearance of your smile. Lost teeth, even ones at the back that may seem less significant, can have a big impact on the way we look, and multiple lost teeth in the row can provide a gaunt appearance to the cheek which is usually asymmetric. On top of this, teeth will attempt to spread themselves out equally throughout the mouth, so when there is a gap, the teeth next to it will shift their positions to attempt to compensate. This can result in all the teeth, in particular on the arch, having excessive gaps as they try to fill a large space.
Types of bridge
Removable bridges
Removable bridges at our dentist in Waterlooville operate in a similar way as a denture. They rely on a snug-fitting between the underlying gum and the shape of the prosthetic to hold it in place during eating and talking. Unlike a full denture, which has a habit of moving and rubbing, a partial denture has a far smaller footprint than the entire dental arch, making it even more prone to wobbling, and so, proper fitting is even more critical.
Removable at any time, they are easier to clean and maintain than any other bridge’s design.
Wired bridges
Wired bridges use short lengths of titanium wire at each end of the bridge to anchor it to neighbouring healthy teeth. This does fix the bridge in place, although the wire can unwind itself over time, making rocking possible. It also places additional stress on the neighbouring teeth, increasing the importance of regular check-ups. The treatment is dependent on those healthy teeth. If the neighbouring tooth has required reconstructing or had been crowned, it would be inappropriate for anchoring a bridge.
These are the oldest and most common bridge designs and when appropriate, they are often the most cost-effective solution.
Implant immobilised
Implant immobilised bridges use a pair of dental implants at either end of the bridge to act as anchors; this takes any pressure off of adjacent teeth. It also makes it appropriate to have a bridge extending to the final molar.
Immobilised implants cannot move anymore than healthy natural teeth would. They feel the most integrated and natural of the bridge solutions with exactly the same twice-daily brushing routine and normal checkups. But they are dependent on undergoing two implants which is a lengthy investment of time and a significant investment of money. Though, this is definitely the most comprehensive method at our dentist in Waterloovilleof integrating a prosthetic.