Fill The Missing Tooth Gap
Maybe you have recently had a tooth pulled and are now discussing options with your dentist as to how to fill in the missing gap. Your dentist may recommend that you have a porcelain bridge placed.
A porcelain bridge is an artificial tooth that is placed in the mouth, generally between two anchor crowns on either side of the missing tooth gap. When two crowns are used on either side of a tooth gap for a bridge, it is called a fixed bridge. Fixed Porcelain Bridges are a permanent fixture in your mouth and can be used in the case of one or more missing teeth.
Cantilever porcelain bridges on the other hand are used when there is only one side of the missing tooth gap to anchor too and when there is not a lot of biting stress in the area. Porcelain bridges are a great solution for missing teeth in that they look just like natural teeth because of the porcelain, they can reduce the risk of teeth moving around and they can correct bite issues where teeth have become misaligned.
When people loose teeth for whatever reason, porcelain bridges keep the remaining teeth from shifting in either direction. When teeth shift it may affect the way a person bites down on food, resulting in jaw injury and even pain. Missing teeth can also make other teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and gingivitis.
Porcelain bridges are generally easy for a dentist to install and can often times be completed in as few as two visits. On the first visit, the dentist prepares either side of the missing tooth area and makes the necessary adjustments that will be necessary when it is placed. A mold is taken and from that mold a dental technician makes the actual porcelain bridge. After the first visit, patients are usually fitted with a temporary porcelain bridge that acts as a temporary substitute. On the second visit, the permanent porcelain bridge is usually fitted.
It is very important that the person who is fitted with a porcelain bridge maintains excellent oral hygiene. With porcelain bridges it can be easy for bacteria to build up in the area and affect the gums and surrounding tissue. Porcelain bridges may also cause sensitivity in the area for a short time immediately following the procedure.
