How is a dental bridge applied?

Understanding the Need for Dental Bridges

Ah, the joys of fully functional teeth. They are something we often take for granted, much like breathing without a runny nose. Biting into a juicy apple or chewing on a succulent steak without any issue is a luxury that many of us are blessed with. However, not everyone is so lucky. There was a time, believe it or not, years ago when my wife, Florence, lost a tooth and experienced the ordeal firsthand. Something as simple as chewing suddenly became an adventure in culinary acrobatics, with her trying to maneuver food around the gap. Want to know what's funnier? Watching her tackle a deliciously gooey smore, talk about a sticky situation! Here enters our hero of the day - the Dental Bridge!

What Exactly is a Dental Bridge?

Let me save you from the suspense. No, a dental bridge is not something concocted by an overly enthusiastic civil engineer with an identity crisis moonlighting as a dentist. Rather, it's a neat little contraption that basically 'bridges' the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Talk about a walkway to munchville! Dental bridges, just like our regular bridges, have what we call 'anchors' at both the ends. These anchors are actually your natural teeth or implants around the missing tooth which serve as pillars supporting the bridge. And of course, the crown that replaces your missing tooth is named, quite appropriately, a 'pontic.' See how creatively they’ve used engineering terms? Ingenious if you ask me!

The Procedure: A Walk Through

Now, onto the main event: how is it placed? Here’s a fun fact. Just as Rome wasn't built in a day, a bridge, even a tiny one for your mouth, isn't either. It’s a two-part process. The first visit to your dentists involves preparation of the abutment teeth. This procedure involves recontouring by removing part of their enamel to allow space for a crown to be placed over them. Slightly barbaric sounding, I know, but Florence assures me it’s not half as bad as it sounds. Impressions of your teeth are then made, which will serve as a model from which the dental lab will make the bridge, pontic, and crowns. Your dentist will make you a temporary bridge to protect your bare teeth and gums while the actual bridge is being made. The second trip to the dentist would be for the removal of your temporary bridge and the new porcelain or metal bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve the perfect fit. Once adjusted, it’s cemented into place, and voila! Your missing tooth is successfully replaced, and you are ready to chomp away at your heart’s content!

Types of Dental Bridges: Choices, Choices!

There's no one-size-fits-all in the world of dental bridges. In other words, your dentist isn’t going to pull out a generic bridge from a drawer like a magician pulling out a rabbit from a hat. The type of bridge your dentist will recommend would depend on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations, and cost. The main types include the traditional bridge, the cantilever bridge, and the Maryland bonded bridge. Don’t let these fancy names intimidate you, though. This is just tooth-talk for different bridge styles. But I promise you, it’s less confusing than a conversation with our daughter, Imogen, about her favorite K-pop boy bands!

Maintaining Your Dental Bridge: A Lifetime Commitment

Now here's the bit about maintaining your dental bridge. Be warned, my friends, this isn’t something you install and forget about, like a new thermostat. A dental bridge demands the same (if not more) TLC as your natural teeth. Think of it as owning a sleek sportscar. If you want it to stay gleaming and purring like a happy cat, you need to put in the work. Regular cleaning schedules employing flossing and brushing will ensure your bridge is well-maintained, and don’t forget those regular check-ups at the dentist! Also, avoiding food that can dislodge or harm the bridge is a good idea. So, to all you ardent fans of jawbreakers and caramels, proceed with caution!

Living with a Dental Bridge: Tales from the Other Side

In the end, just know that a dental bridge, while slightly intimidating to think about, isn’t a life-altering procedure. It’s not like you’ll come out of the dentist’s office with a sudden urge for bridge building or a fascination with civil engineering. Life with a dental bridge is pretty much like life before, just with one added perk – you get your full smile back. And let me tell you, Florence’s smile with her dental bridge is just as beautiful and hearty as it was before. Now, she navigates through the marshmallowy fluffiness of a smore with ease. So indeed, the dental bridge isn't just a mere dental appliance - it's indeed your bridge to renewed confidence and a zealous joy in living!