Dental Bridges – The Best Decision for Your Health

Decades ago, getting a substitute for lost teeth was an uncommon and expensive procedure. In the past, a lot of people in Singapore were not aware of the options, or if they were, they are hesitant to avail themselves it due to exorbitant costs. But now, with innovations in the field of dental science, a confident smile becomes attainable. For those who need a substitute for lost teeth, a dental bridge is a solution.

However, before going to any dental clinic to get a dental bridge, it is important to ask your dentist key questions such as the differences between a bridge and an implant, and the benefits and downsides of a bridge.

It has never been easier to get all the information about any treatment, and with the help of informative sites like Dentaleh, you can read all the specifics of dental bridges in Singapore from what they are, what types are available, how much they cost and even if they are covered by insurance.

But without any further delay, lets get into this article.

Definition

A bridge is composed of false teeth called pontics with a customized fit. There are anchor teeth that support the bridge on each surface of the lost teeth’s gap. As the primary structure that supports the bridge, the anchor teeth can either be the natural teeth or implants.

Bridges are as stable and strong as your permanent teeth. Way before there were implants available, bridges were the most popular teeth substitute options and until today, it is viewed as a significant discovery in modern dentistry. And contrary to the notion that this kind of technology has become obsolete, it can still stand its ground against dental implants!

Creation Process

The teeth’s standard impressions and a dental x-ray are the first things that a dental lab specialist prepares. The exact model that is produced serves as the basis of the bridge. The dentist will double-check if the crowns are firmly attached to the anchor teeth due to a simple reason: as soon as the bridge is attached, the removal can be extremely difficult. As a matter of fact, it can last for years – about five to fifteen – and sometimes much more if taken care of properly.

An ideal recipient of a bridge is a person with healthy anchor teeth. The anchor teeth are modified in shape and contour so that the crown will sit perfectly on the top.

Unfortunately, modifications of the anchor teeth are viewed as the major downside with bridge technology as losing healthy tissue weakens the tooth, thus subsequently lessens its longevity.

Benefits

Chewing and speaking are relatively comfortable because a bridge is not too heavy. It is easy to use for the first time, too. Aside from correcting a person’s bite, dental bridges help retain the shape of a person’s face and control the shifts and movement of the surrounding teeth.

Aesthetics remains as a vital factor when choosing bridges over implants due to the fact that the latter might compromise a person’s gums if he or she has low gum height. Unlike implants, you can also choose the physical characteristics of the teeth to be used in the bridge.

You only need to see your dentist for two to three times to finish the bridge procedure. A typical bridge is finished in about two days. It is different from a dental implant that takes at least two months to become fully integrated to the bone.

Lastly, getting bridges is ideal for people who are medically not allowed to get implants or surgical procedures due to existing health issues.

Downsides

The main downside of dental bridges happens during the preparation of the tooth. Research shows that when teeth with little to no restoration is used as an anchor, it is very likely that the person will require a root canal procedure in the future. Furthermore, reducing enamel during tooth preparation causes pain or sensitivity, a known side effect that that impacts one to three per cent of all patients. To minimize the risk, professional dental clinics in Singapore relies on a less invasive method to prepare the tooth.

The fit and type of bridge are two critical factors, but the more crucial thing to consider is the advice from your dentist on whether or not you should get a bridge. If you experience issues with any or both of your anchor teeth, it means that your dental bridge can be compromised, too. Cavities, infection, or disease in any of the supporting tooth may cause irreversible damage to the whole bridge.

Some bridges are longer than average and when this happens, the anchor teeth are subjected to too much force. Through time, this extreme amount of force causes excessive stress and in turn, gives way to more serious dental issues.

Bridges or Implants?

People with very small amount of bone can reap more benefits from a bridge. This is to avoid the complicated process of bone grafting that is necessary to hold an implant. Furthermore, there is a bigger risk of the body rejecting the implant if the grafting procedure is too extensive.

Using implants to support a bridge can cut costs. Dentists in Singapore prefer not to use more implants than are necessary since the ultimate goal is a stable and long-term tooth restoration. Just remember that when getting a bridge, following proper dental habits are needed to keep the bridge stable and to be certain that the surrounding teeth are free from any problems.