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Dental bridges are offered in London to replace a missing tooth or teeth. There are varying kinds of dental bridges including; traditional, resin-retained, and cantilever bridges. These bridges will be explained to you when you visit the London Dental Clinic. Traditional and cantilever bridges require that the surrounding adjacent be properly shaped so as to be able to accept the new bridge. The adjacent teeth are prepared into peg- or barrel- shaped forms and the bridge will go over these forms and replace the missing tooth/teeth as well. The tooth being replaced is referred to as a pontic, and can have many different designs depending on the patient’s needs. A pontic also replicates a tooth crown, and its underside usually touches the gum tissue. However, a sanitary pontic will not touch the gum tissue. A cantilever bridge is designed so that two or more teeth are prepared next to each other, with the pontic extending out in one direction and not being attached to an adjacent abutment tooth on one side. A resin-retained bridge does not require as much tooth preparation, and is usually used for front teeth, or if the patient is missing a tooth and the surrounding teeth contain no fillings or dental caries. This allows a bridge to be worn without damaging good tooth structure.
A missing tooth or teeth can cause several dental problems, and lead to more serious dental problems with time. If you and your dentist agree on a dental bridge, your London dentist will perform a detailed dental exam, take X-rays, and make study models, prior to performing the dental bridge procedure. Your other teeth and supporting structures must be in good shape in order for the bridge to succeed. The dentist will also perform an occlusal examination to make sure that your other teeth are contacting each other properly. After your dentist numbs your mouth and prepares your teeth to accept the dental bridge, impressions are taken of the prepared teeth and opposing teeth, along with a bite registration. A shade is then chosen to match your other teeth. These are then sent to the dental laboratory so that they can make the final bridge. In the meantime, your London dentist will make a temporary bridge so that your teeth won’t become sensitive or shift while waiting for the final bridge. The temporary bridge is then cementedin place and you will be given an apointment in about two weeks so that your final bridge can be placed and cemented in your mouth