Missing teeth can cause a variety of problems in everyday life. You can find it hard to smile, speak, and even eat with spaces in your teeth. The good news is that there are many great options for teeth replacement in modern dentistry. Porcelain bridges are among those options.
But how do you know if this treatment fits your specific needs? Finding out if you are a good candidate involves looking at a few clear factors regarding your oral health.
Understanding the Treatment
The term dental bridge refers to a prosthetic dental device that bridges the gap formed by missing teeth. A dental bridge typically consists of crowns placed on the supporting teeth on either side of the gap, with one or more artificial teeth in between.
Porcelain is used to make the dental bridge as it resembles natural tooth enamel, and it matches perfectly with the rest of the teeth.
Strong Anchor Teeth
The most important requirement for a dental bridge is the health of your remaining teeth. A bridge relies on the teeth next to the space for support. Dentists call these anchor teeth. These anchor teeth should be strong, healthy, and free of deep decay. They will bear the strain and the pressure of the new bridge.
Weak roots or heavily damaged adjacent teeth will not be able to support the bridge. In this case, your dentist might need to treat those teeth before they can work on the bridge.
Healthy Gums and Bone
Your bone and gum tissue form the foundation of your smile. A good candidate must have healthy gums and adequate jawbone support. Gum disease causes tissue recession and weakens the bone that holds your teeth in place.
If you have active periodontal disease, a porcelain bridge can fail quickly. Dentists always prioritize treating gum issues beforehand. Once your gums heal and become stable, your mouth provides a safe environment for a long-lasting porcelain bridge.
Excellent Oral Hygiene
A porcelain bridge needs the same maintenance as your natural teeth. Candidates should be committed to maintaining good daily oral hygiene. The porcelain itself will not decay, but the tooth structure under the crowns can.
You will need to brush twice a day and use special floss to clean under the artificial tooth. If you ignore these practices, plaque will build up and destroy anchor teeth. If you already have good oral hygiene, you are a fantastic candidate for this procedure.
Overall Good Health
The overall health of your body influences dental procedures. Diseases like diabetes, when not controlled, hinder the rate at which your body heals. In case you smoke, this could affect the health of your gums and bones as well. Discussing your entire medical history will assist the dentist in determining if the porcelain bridge procedure is right for you.
Summing Up
Replacing missing teeth protects your remaining teeth from shifting out of place and helps maintain the shape of your face. If you have healthy anchor teeth, strong gums, and a commitment to daily brushing, a porcelain bridge can easily give you back a complete smile.
The experienced team at Vital Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry helps patients evaluate their options every day. Call us today at (972) 984-1700 to schedule an appointment.