A dental bridge is one of the most effective cosmetic tooth restoration options a person can purse. A tooth-colored dental bridge can either be manufactured from a combination of porcelain and metal, or, thanks to newly developed technology, dental labs can now manufacture all-porcelain bridges.
Dental bridges that are all-porcelain are more advantageous than those made out of a blend of porcelain and metal.
For many years, porcelain bridges had to be constructed around a metal core. Porcelain was not as strong of a material then, and metal was the only substance capable of making the bridge capable of withstanding the tremendous biting forces that are exerted on the teeth. However, the metal core was visible through the porcelain, and showed up as an unattractive dark blue line at the edge of many bridges.
However, new developments in adhesives, combined with the development of much stronger porcelain, now allows for tooth replacements like implants, crowns, and dental bridges to be made entirely out of porcelain.
All-porcelain bridges have translucency that makes them difficult to distinguish from natural teeth. Without the presence of metal, the dark line at the edge of the gums is done away with for good. This allows dentists to place the edge of the bridge above the gumline, and that is much healthier for booth teeth and gums in the long run.
An all-porcelain bridge restores the ability to eat normally, and it supports the lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth will often cause the mouth to sink and your face to look older. When teeth are missing, there great stress is placed on gums and other surrounding tissues because of the gap.
This will cause teeth to shift out of their proper alignment, and it will increase the risk of gum disease. A person will often have problems speaking as a result of missing teeth, and that, combined with the gap in his or her smile, becomes a source of tremendous embarrassment.
It usually takes two or more appointments to create and attach a dental bridge. During the first appointment, the dentist must prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing some enamel and dentin. Impressions will then be taken of the teeth and used to make a mold.
A temporary bridge will be placed before the patient leaves, and the mold will be sent to a dental laboratory. The lab will then manufacture the all-porcelain bridge to match the exact proportions and shapes of all the teeth in the person's mouth. This will ensure proper bite and alignment in the years to come.
When the permanent bridge is ready, the patient returns to the office. The dentist will trial fit the permanent to ensure that it fits correctly. If any adjustments are necessary, it will have to be sent back to the lab. However, if the trial fitting proves all is as intended, it is permanently cemented in place and can be expected to last for years of cared for properly.
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