Dental
Bridges
in Ellenbrook
Book Online
What are
Dental Bridge?
Having a missing tooth can lead to an unsightly gap, but it is also bad for your oral health. It can limit your ability to eat and speak normally. It’s vital for your oral health to get that gap filled in as soon as possible.
Benefits of a
Dental Bridge
- Restore Your Smile
- Improve Your Speech
- Allow You to Chew Normally
- Preserve the Shape of Your Face
- Relieve Uneven Stress on Your Bite
- Prevent Movement of Your Remaining Teeth
Why Choose
Ellen Stirling Dental in Ellenbrook for Your Dental Bridge
Ellen Stirling Dental can help. Our dental bridges are the perfect way to fill gaps between teeth and restore your perfect smile. They’re custom-made by local specialist dental technicians right here in Perth, so we can keep an eye on quality control to ensure they’re at the absolute peak of what is possible. That means you get a permanent solution that looks great, and feels fantastic, too! Moreover, they look just like natural teeth, so no one will know you even had any work done!
Book Online
FAQ'S About Dental Bridges
What are the types of dental bridges?
Dental bridges can be categorised into four basic types:
Traditional Dental Bridge: The most common type of bridge is the traditional dental bridge. Ceramic, porcelain fused with metal, or all-metal, such as gold, are used for these types of bridges. Traditional bridges consist of one fake tooth, commonly called a pontic, which is attached to a dental crown on each side. Traditional bridges are primarily used to restore premolars and molars, which are located in the back of the mouth.
Cantilever Dental Bridge: Cantilever bridges are made of porcelain fused to metal, similar to traditional bridges. However, a patient must have one natural tooth next to the missing tooth to support a cantilever bridge. An artificial tooth is placed on either side of the unhealthy tooth in a cantilever dental bridge. Cantilever bridges are not strong enough to hold molars and are usually utilised to restore front teeth.
Maryland Dental Bridge: Maryland dental bridges, like traditional bridges, use two natural abutment teeth, one on each side of the gap. The difference is a Maryland bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework attached to the backs of the abutment teeth rather than dental crowns on the abutment teeth.
A Maryland bridge can only be utilised if you have a natural tooth on each side of the gap produced by the missing teeth, just like a standard bridge. Typically, Maryland bridges are used for restoring front teeth. They are rarely used to restore teeth at the back of the mouth since the canines are vital to your bite functionality, and Maryland bridges are easily shifted or loosened.
Implant-supported Dental Bridge: As the name implies, implant-supported bridges are supported by dental implants rather than crowns or frames. One implant is surgically implanted for each missing tooth, and these implants hold the bridge in place. Pontics can be suspended between two implant-supported crowns if one implant isn’t practicable for each lost tooth.
What is the process of getting a dental bridge?
Usually, dental bridge procedures require two dental visits:
First Visit: Tooth Preparation
- During the first appointment, a local anaesthetic may be administered to guarantee that you are comfortable and pain-free during the dental bridge procedure.
- The abutment teeth are then shaped and filed by your dentist. The enamel and any other dental structure are removed to establish a clear path to the opposite tooth.
- After shaping the teeth, impressions are taken and submitted to a dental laboratory, where you’ll get your personalised dental bridge made.
- A temporary bridge will be placed over the newly shaped teeth and gap while the permanent bridge is being manufactured. Dental implants will be implanted in your jawbone if the adjacent teeth are not robust enough to support a bridge (implant-supported bridge).
Second Visit: Bridge Placement
The second appointment will be scheduled once the permanent bridge is ready for placement.
- A local anaesthetic will be given if there is any sensitivity or pain, and the temporary bridge will be removed.
- Your dentist will then clean your teeth.
- To confirm that the bridge fits properly, your dentist will take x-rays of it.
- Finally, the bridge and your teeth will be glued together with dental cement.
What is the cost of a dental bridge?
How long do dental bridges last?
Typically, dental bridges last between five to seven years. By maintaining good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings, the bridge can last for more than ten years.
What are the alternatives to dental bridges?
These are the dental bridge alternatives to replace missing teeth:
Partial Denture: Dentures, or false teeth, are made up of one or more prosthetic teeth attached to a plastic and metal framework that clips around the original teeth. False teeth are versatile in that they can be created to fit around any number of healthy teeth. A full set of dentures is also available for those who have lost all their teeth.
Dental Implant: A dental implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone, replacing the tooth root. They’re typically constructed of titanium, a tough substance that’s also biocompatible, so they shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction or rejection. The crown (replacement tooth) is held in place by an abutment attached to the implant.
What is the aftercare of dental bridges?
The following steps will help you maintain your dental bridge:
Foods to avoid: While your permanent bridge is being manufactured, your dentist will place a temporary bridge over the newly shaped teeth to protect it.
During this period, do not eat or chew sticky or chewy foods, such as gum and candy, and hard foods, such as nuts and ice cubes. While the temporary bridge is in place, it’s also important to chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
After the permanent bridge has been placed, you should refrain from eating sticky or hard foods for at least 24 hours. After this time, you can resume your regular eating habits.
Pain management: The procedures for traditional, Maryland, and cantilever bridges are all pretty painless. Gum swelling or pain may occur in some people. To relieve pain, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
Oral hygiene: When a permanent bridge is placed, it is necessary to take extra oral hygiene measures since the area where the pontic rests on the gums is challenging to clean and can create plaque buildup.
Rinse with mouthwash frequently, brush at least twice a day, and floss beneath the bridge regularly to help reduce inflammation and prevent cavities along the bridge’s edge. Flossing between the teeth of a dental bridge necessitates floss threaders, super floss, or water flossers.
When would I need a bridge?
You may need a dental bridge after a tooth extraction or tooth loss due to tooth decay, trauma, gum disease, or old age. Additionally, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge if you need dental implants but can’t get them for medical reasons.