Category: Dental Crowns

Surprisingly, there is no clear set definition of a gummy smile, and it is mainly based on perception. You are most likely to know a gummy smile when you see one. There have been researching studies done to determine what people consider as an excessive gingival display. In most cases, people rated smiles as attractive when two millimeters less of gum tissue were exposed. In cases where the smile was three millimeters or more, the smile was considered as a gummy smile. Amusingly, the gummy smiles were found more in women than men. Experts predict that about 7% of men and 14% of women have an excessive gingival display.

There are some different elements that can lead to someone to have a gummy smile. While one patient may have an excessive gingival display from birth, another one may develop it over time. Some of the most common backing factors of a gummy smile include:

– Neurological Changes

The muscles controlling the upper lip movements can become hyperactive. When this occurs, your upper lip can start to rise higher than normal, thus exposing more of your gum tissue underneath. Therefore, your gums will become more noticeable and give you the appearance of a gummy smile even though there might be no more gum tissue than normal.

– Genetics

If your parents or grandparents have a gummy smile, particularly short teeth or similar issues high possibilities are that you do too. Also, there is a high chance that any children you have could develop the same issue.

– Too Much Gum Tissue

Some patients have more gum tissue than others. In some cases, teeth seem short since they did not emerge from the gums completely and are still partially covered by the gum tissues. Also, gum tissue can grow over teeth due to a condition is known as gingival hypertrophy.

– Overgrowth of the upper jaw

Overgrowth of the upper jaw also referred to vertical maxillary excess can make the gums bulge out and the upper lip to thin. The condition can make your smile appear gummy than what is considered normal.

– Teeth that have failed to erupt

Permanent teeth begin to grow in around the age of 5-6 years. However, this process can continue well into the teenage years. In case your teeth do not fail to emerge from the gum properly, they can remain partially covered by the gums resulting in an increased amount of gum tissue on display when you smile.

– Short or Worn Teeth

You may look as if you have a gummy smile when your teeth appear to be small in comparison with the gums if they are naturally shorter than normal or they have been worn down.

– Gingival Recessions

Receding gums or gingival recessions is a common condition that leads to a gummy smile. The condition is often related to an altered passive eruption of teeth due to genetic or developmental factors that may result in persistence of excessive soft tissue amount over the enamel surface.

– A Hyperactive or Short Upper Lip

When your upper lip appears to be too short, it can reveal more of your gums when you smile. In other instances, your upper lip may be of normal length, but it lifts too high when smiling thereby exposing the gums.

Luckily, you don’t have to live with a smile that you are not happy to share. Several cosmetic treatments can address various aspects of your teeth, including correcting the appearance of your gummy smile. Before the treatment, your dentist will classify the extent of your condition using a gummy smile scale. The scale will measure the amount of gum tissue that is exposed as a percentage of tooth height. Therefore, this means that gummy smiles are classified depending on the amount of gum tissue exposed about how much tooth structure is displayed when a patient smiles. Gummy smiles can be categorised as mild, moderate, advanced or severe.

Here is a keen look at what these classifications mean.

Mild gummy smile

If the amount of gum tissue that is exposed when the patient smiles is less than 25% of the length of tooth structure, then that is a mild gummy smile.

Moderate gummy smile

If the amount of gum tissues displayed when the patient smiles are above 25% and below 50% of the length of the teeth, they have a moderate gummy smile.

Advanced gummy smile

An advanced gummy smile exists when the amount of gum tissue revealed is between 50% and 100% the length of the tooth structure.

Severe gummy smile

When the amount of gum tissue revealed is more than 100% the length of the teeth when the patient smiles, then their gummy smile is considered as severe.

Some surgeries used to fix gummy smiles are more invasive than others, and treatment recommendations depend on how serious the gums are and the type of a gummy smile. Also, it is common for the dentists to combine different types of treatment to help achieve the best outcome.

– Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is among the most popular treatments for a gummy smile. The procedure is designed to reshape the gum tissue and bone so that more of the natural tooth is exposed and less fleshy gum is on display. It is performed under local anaesthesia, and you can also be sedated if you are particularly nervous and anxious about the procedure. Crown lengthening can be done by hand. However, most dentists are now offering laser crown lengthening. The procedure is done as usual, but instead of using sharp instruments and tools by hand, the cutting and contouring are done using laser technology. Laser crown lengthening offers several benefits such as greater precision, minimal bleeding after and a reduced risk of human error.

Some of the advantages of laser crown lengthening include:

• It is effective when a patient fears traditional periodontal surgery.
• When a patient is looking for a less invasive treatment method for treating periodontal disease.
• When a patient searching for a holistic and biological approach to treating periodontal disease.
• When a patient has a medical condition that does not allow them to have traditional periodontal surgery.
• When a patient has a recurrent gum infection and recurrent periodontal disease.

– Lip Repositioning

Lip repositioning involves making a small cut along the gum tissue to separate the inner part of the upper lip from where it connects with the gum line and repositioning it. Therefore, this will reduce the retracting movement of the lip allowing it to take a lower place over the gums and keep closer to the teeth when you smile. The procedure offers permanent results with faster healing time and minimal after-surgery discomfort.

• It gives the top lip a fuller and more aesthetically pleasing look.
• It improves the appearance of a gummy smile immediately.
• It requires only local anaesthesia.
• It creates a proportionate amount of teeth, lip,and gum.
• It does not result in external scarring.
• Fast recovery in a short period.

– Vertical Maxillary Impaction

This procedure is a form of corrective jaw surgery whereby the entire upper jaw is repositioned upwards. This procedure is unsurprisingly, much more invasive than the crown lengthening procedure, and it also requires a longer recovery period. It involves removal of the bone segment that is of uneven height at the front and back, allowing the repositioning of the maxilla by moving it backward. Also, it helps in changing the shape of the face so that it seems less long.

– Frenulum Attachment

When you lift your upper lip, you will notice that there is an extended tissue that connects the inside of your upper lip to the gums. The extended tissue is known as the frenulum, and it requires a surgical procedure using local anaesthesia to cut and lengthen or release the tissue so that your upper lip can cover your gums more.

– Orthodontics

In some cases, the dentist may suggest that you have your teeth moved into a more suitable position to help correct the problem of your gummy smile. When this is the case, you may be referred to an orthodontist for the treatment. It involves wearing braces over your teeth to adjust them over time to bring them and the jaw into a better position. Orthodontic treatment offers various benefits to your oral health and the appearance of your smile.

– Veneers

Other than focusing on the gums, you can decide on applying the veneers or dental crowns in an attempt to elongate your teeth so that they are proportional to the gum size. For patients with a gummy smile that has been attributed to genetics or wear, then veneers or dental crowns can be a great option. They also one of the most painless treatment options available.

– Gum Contouring

This procedure involves removal of the extra gum tissue and reshaping of the remaining gum tissue. A gum contouring is performed by a periodontist, and the expected results are more exposed teeth.

• Used to remove excess amounts of gum tissue

Patients who tend to have excess gum tissues that extend down to their teeth, this is the ideal treatment for them. The dentist will safely ablate the gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s surface, giving the impression of being longer and more proportional to the smile and other facial features.

• It is permanent

Once the excess gum tissue is removed, they do not regenerate. When patients undertake this procedure, they can expect that their gums, maintain the new shape. However, patients should be committed to maintaining proper oral care to keep their teeth and gums clean to prevent them from losing their gum tissue to periodontal disease.

• Can be used to form a smooth and even gum line

Patients who have a rough and uneven gum line, this procedure can be used to even out their gum lines. Uneven gum line can detract your beautiful smile and make your teeth appear more unhealthy and crooked. By reshaping your gummy smile, the dentist can reinvent your affected smile.

• It is safe

As much as there is some degree of risk when it comes to surgery, gum contouring has a very low risk of infections and bleeding. The recovery period should be quick and safe as long as the patient is willing and able to follow all the after surgery instructions provided by the dentist. The patients must also be free from gum disease before they can undergo this procedure.

– Botox

Botox injections are a simple and temporary treatment that is non-invasive and allows you to get the results before trying surgery. Botox comprises of the botulinum toxin type A, and when used for cosmetic purposes, the injectable helps to weaken tissues of the upper lip to control the amount of lip retraction that is causing a gummy smile. The number of injections that you receive is based on how strong the muscles are and in some cases, the muscles are too strong, or the gummy condition is too extensive for any effective results. However, this treatment option is only temporary and should be repeated every 3-6 months to maintain your new smile.

– Patients Review

First, start by compiling a comprehensive list of all the dentists that you know. To make your work easier, you can try asking your friends, family members and other healthcare providers for any recommendations and their opinions. Take enough time to evaluate and carefully research their experience and credentials both online and any related sources that may be helpful. Also, as you go through each dentist’s detail, make sure that your request for a consultation appointment. A scheduled appointment will help you to meet, interview and analyse the dentist in question.

– Quality of Services

The quality of services that the dentist offers should be among your top most priorities. There is no better way to establish the facts other than getting to know what other patients say about that particular dentist. You can always check what the patients are saying about the quality of services on the dentist’s website. Also, if you may want to consider the quality of their customer service. If you want a flexible dental care service make sure that you choose a dentist with flexible operating hours. Therefore, you will be able to conveniently drive in for your treatment or check-ups before or even after work. Some dentists may even be flexible enough to provide late evening or early morning services.

– Emergency Care

Dental emergencies can occur once you get your gummy smile surgery. Damaged restorations such as the dental crowns or veneers and oral trauma can strike at any time. So, it is essential to know the kind of recourse the dental practice or dentist offers in case of an emergency. For instance, some dental offices offer flexible after hours and weekend appointments while others have limited flexibility.

– Up-to-date Technology

Over the past decades, dentistry has experienced a proliferation of digital technologies which have greatly improved the quality of dental care. This is particularly significant for laser crown lengthening, orthodontics, and dental x-rays.

– Experience of the Dentist

Experience of the dentist is an important factor to consider, and it matters most when it comes to not only gummy smile treatments but all other oral health conditions as well. The more experienced a dental practitioner is with a procedure or condition, the better the results will likely to be. It is important that you do a follow up on the dentist’s patients that have a similar condition to know how the condition was treated. Also, if you happen to know the type of procedure that you need, you can ask your dentist how many such procedures he or she has performed and find out the levels of risk complications the dentist has encountered.

– Location and Accessibility

The nearer the dental office location is in your home the better. However, it is always essential to be quite flexible regarding the distance because you may find that the dentist who makes you the most comfortable is a little far away. And that is a trade-off that only you can decide on. Also, if you are looking for a dentist for an older person or someone with some disabilities, make sure that the dental office is accessible and has special features to cater for such people. For example, if the office is located on the third or fourth floor than a wheelchair stairway lift or an elevator should be available to enable them to reach the office easily.

– Friendly and Responsive Staff

Visiting the dental office is not always high on most patient’s list of their favourite activities. And since you cannot always determine the type of treatment you will receive in advance; you can determine the quality of dental staff experience. This can be done by choosing a clinic that offers streamlined appointment process, a billing process which accepts most insurance plans and pleasant interaction.

– Consider Gender

Similar to any other medical procedures, gummy smile surgeries may sometimes require that you openly talk about your personal information to your dentist. Therefore, it is crucial that you are comfortable and at ease with your dentist’s gender. When you are free with your dentist, you will be able to talk about anything that is affecting your oral health and social life.

In most cases, dental insurance does not cover gummy smile treatment because the nature of this treatment is cosmetic. Similar to most cosmetic solutions, dental insurance does not cover the costs. However, if your self-confidence and esteem are suffering due to a gummy smile, then insurance is not relevant. Having a gummy smile fixed and gaining your confidence back is more important even if it means using some of your money.

Having a gummy smile correction greatly improves your oral health because sometimes plaque and bacteria use your gummy smile to stay untouched. Therefore, when you have your gummy smile corrected, then your gums will be exposed, revealing the hidden plaque and bacteria. You will be able to clean out more of your teeth when you brush or floss allowing your mouth to stay clean and healthy. At the end of the day, the state of your oral health has a lot to do with your overall body health.

A majority of people form their first impression of you based on the appearance of your smile. That is because our teeth are generally the most noticeable part of our smiles. However, if you have a lot of gum tissue, you may want to hide your smile instead. A wide range of cosmetic treatments is available to you and at an affordable price. If you are struggling with a gummy smile or uneven gum line you can consider the treatments as mentioned earlier to help correct and improve your smile. Getting rid of the excess gum tissue allows your pearly whites to be seen and this minor change can have a major effect on your life. It will make you less self-conscious while interacting with other people and you can be more relaxed in professional meetings. When you are in love with your smile, you are more likely to share it with others. Most people find that correcting their gummy smiles is all they needed to feel better about their smiles.

There are numerous reasons for which your dentist may recommend a dental crown. Some of these reasons include to restore, protect or to strengthen a tooth that has been damaged or worn down. Also, it helps to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile by covering a dental implant to create the look of natural replacement tooth or by changing the colouror size of a tooth.

• Appearance

The look and appearance of the teeth are essential for most people because it plays a major role in the look of a person’s face and smile. It also contributes to a person’s overall confidence. Dental crowns are used to cover severely stained teeth or badly damaged teeth when partial coverage with veneer is not a suitable option. A dental crown can as well be used to cover and offer support to a tooth that has a large filling, and only a small section of the natural tooth is remaining. In such as situation, a veneer cannot be used since it cannot last long when only a small section of the tooth remains. Contrarily, a dental crown can offer full coverage to fit the colour, shape and size of the tooth.

• Stabilisation

A dental crown can be used to stabilise and offer support toother dental prosthetics such as a denture or dental bridge. An example of this is when a dental crown is fixed to two healthy teeth, one on each side of the empty left by a missing tooth. This offers two anchor points where the bridge can be placed and held firmly in place. However, this technique is becoming less popular after the introduction of dental implants since they do not require any dental work on the adjacent healthy teeth.

• Protection and Restoration

A dental crown is used to mend and restore the appearance and function of a tooth that has been worn down or seriously impaired by tooth decay. For instance, a crown can be used to restore a tooth that has received an endodontic treatment or a root canal therapy. This procedure involves cutting off blood supply and nerves in the tooth such that it becomes devitalized and the space that initially held the blood vessels and nerves is filled to prevent infections from oral bacteria. This treatment procedure leaves the tooth weaker and fragile than the vital teeth such that it is susceptible to break or fracture. Therefore, the dentist places a dental crown on the tooth to prevent it from fracturing. A dental crown can similarly be used toclasp a cracked tooth together so that it does not end up breaking off completely hence protecting it from further damage and infection.

Dentists make use of several diverse types of materials when designing dental crowns for their patients. Each of these materials come with different benefits for the protection of the tooth and the overall oral health.

– Porcelain

Dental crowns that are made of porcelain or ceramic are mostly preferred for the front teeth since they provide superior aesthetics. These materials are translucent. Therefore, they are almost similar to your natural teeth, and also they can be precisely shaded.

Pros

• Strong and durable.
• Aesthetically appealing since they are natural looking.
• No metal means that the dentist can see through the crown in x-rays.
• It is an excellent option for those with metal allergies.

Cons

• Quality of the material is the key to the aesthetic success and durability.

– Porcelain Fused to Metal

This type of dental crown comes with numerous benefits of both metal crowns and ceramic crowns. Porcelain is used to design the visible part of the crown while the metal is used to create the remaining part which is fitted into the tooth that needs to be repaired. Porcelain fused to the metal dental crown is stronger than crowns made of porcelain only. They offer a good seal to protect against leakage and further tooth decay.

Pros

• Durable and long lasting.
• It is aesthetically appealing as long as the metal does not show through.

Cons

• Not suitable for patients with metal allergies.
• Metal margin below the porcelain may show through as a dark line thus making the tooth not quite as natural looking.

– All-metal

This type of dental crown is made out of metal alloys such as gold, nickel, palladium or chromium. Over the past years, this type of crowns was popularly used for teeth that are expected to withstand heavy biting and chewing forces, usually molars at the back of the mouth. However, with recent advancement technology in dentistry has provided an ideal alternative for teeth of this nature.

Pros

• Durable and long lasting.

Cons

• Not aesthetically pleasing.
• Not suitable for patients with metal allergies.
• Some patients experience cold/hot sensitivity with metal dental crowns.

– Stainless Steel

This material is often used for temporary dental crowns. They are prefabricated and are only meant tobe used while the permanent crown is being made. Also, it is common for children to have a stainless steel crown as they wait for their tooth to fall out naturally. Unlike other types of dental crowns, these crowns do not require multiple dental visits for them to be fixed or care for them.

– All-resin

Usually, crowns made out of this material are quite cheap. The material tends to wear down over time, and it is not very sturdy. Therefore, it can easily crack or fracture. All resin dental crowns need to be replaced quite often,and this may lead to having the tooth permanently extracted if there is no sufficient material to fuse the crown.

– Zirconia or milled Crown

Dental crowns made from these materials are conveniently made in the dental office, without the need togetting a temporary crown or having to wait for the usual two weeks. Normally, these crowns are comfortable,and they can be made from a wide variety of colours. Therefore, they can blend well with all the surrounding teeth without showing a huge difference.

The steps that are involved in the procedure of getting a dental crown depend on the reason the crown is needed in the first instance. Getting a dental crown installed is not a decision that should be taken lightly since it requires major tooth adjustment to make space for the new crown. The total of space that needs to be generated depends on how your teeth bite together and the material used to make the crown.

Step 1- Preparation

Usually, the preparation process may take the first two visits to the dental office; this visit involves preparation of the tooth to make it ready for a crown to be fitted onto it. A tooth under normal circumstances needs several alterations for the new crown to be fitted.

Before any alterations are made to the tooth, your dentist will first take an x-ray and assess the condition of the teeth. This helps to make sure that the existing tooth is healthy and can carry a crown and that no complications will arise after fitting a crown. Mostly this step is performed as part of the consultation and the decision-making process.

During this process, the dentist will first numb the affected area using local anaesthesia so that you do not have any pain or sensitivity. Then, using special tools, the dentist will grind down the surface of the tooth. And in case the tooth already has a dental filling then there are no nerves left, and so this step may not be necessary. Additionally, if there are lost or loose dental fillings, the dentist will first need to build up the tooth structure to restore its height, shape and the space for the crown.

For a crown to stick on the tooth, there needs to be at least 2mm of the natural tooth all the way around. Without this, the crown will most likely snap off under pressure because it is only attached on to the dental filling. Most materials need to be at least 1-2mm thick so that they can offer maximum support to the crowns. Also, this offers enough depth for the crown to last longer in the mouth and to with stand pressure it will be exerted to without it cracking or breaking off. As a result, the affected tooth needs to be trimmed down by the same amount for fitting. The trim is normally 1-2 mm to make sure that the crown is designed to replace the natural crown and it will fit perfectly. The amount of trimming done may not seem like that much. However, this is quite invasive especially when you consider the thickness of a tooth. The thinning process involves removal of a large amount of, if not all of the enamel.

Once the enamel is removed, the process of shaping the tooth begins to provide a perfect surface on which the artificial crown will be placed. The surface of the tooth is shaped in a way that it is either straight or thinner towards the biting surface of the tooth. This will help in preventing the crown from slipping off once it has been struck down.

After the dentist is done with the preparation of the natural tooth, an impression of the tooth is taken so that the final crown can be custom made. An impression of both arches of the jaw will be taken so that it can allow a perfect crown to be made. The arches of the jaw need to be considered when designing the crown because when you do not want any problems or complications when you bite down, close your mouth or eat. Also, it is at this point when the colour of your teeth will be examined to make sure that they match with that of your crown.

Once all of these is done, the moulds are taken to the lab so that the crown can be made. In the meantime, the dentist will fit you with a temporary crown to protect your sensitive tooth and send you home for a couple of weeks.

Step 2- Fitting

After a couple of weeks on from the preparation stage, your final dental crown will be ready to be fitted. This second step is much faster, and it is less involving. However, it is still very essential as the crown needs tofitproperly so that it can stay in place for many years to come. Like your previous visit, you may be administered with anesthesia to numb the area while the dents do what they need to do.

Once the area has been numbed, the temporary crown will be removed, and the stump of the remaining tooth will be cleaned. The dentist will also test the position of the crown by checking its fit, assessment of your bite and the alignment with the other teeth before it is cemented in place. The dentist will also ensure that you are contented with the color of your crown.

It is possible for your dentist to make some minor adjustments to the stump of your tooth or crown. In other rare cases, this process may have to be stopped simply because the final crown does not fit perfectly. When this occurs, new impressions are taken, and the temporary crown will be put back again.

If they are no changes to be made and the patient is happy with the final crown, the dentist will place the crown over the prepared tooth using dental cement. Pressure will then be applied onto the crown to help form a seal and remove any excess dental cement. Usually, this step takes about 20-40 minutes to complete.

– Pain, Sensitivity and Discomfort

Most patients tend to experience some discomfort or pain around the affected area of the mouth after a dental crown has been placed. Usually, this improves after some days, but it may go for weeks without any assigned treatment. Many people choose to use simple pain medications to help in managing the pain. For instance, ibuprofen is mostly recommended to help reduce the pain thus making the patient feel comfortable.

Additionally, it is common for the patients to experience some sensitivity around the gums and teeth following the dental crown procedure. The gum and teeth sensitivity is common as a result of irritation from the dental cement. A topical anesthetic gel that is often readily available in most drug stores helps in relieving the sensitivity more effectively than oral pain medications such as ibuprofen. A tooth paste that is intended for sensitive teeth can also be helpful.

If the pain becomes severe or continues for several weeks after the dental procedure, it is recommended that you seek immediate dental advice to find what may be the cause. And as much as the dental crown may feel quite strange before the patient gets used to it in their mouth, in some instances, it may need some slight adjustment for it to fit the shape of the mouth properly. Also, if the bite is uneven and uncomfortable after several days, you may seek dental advice to find out whether it needs some adjustment.

– Numbness from Anesthetic

In case the dentist used a local anesthetic during the dental crown procedure, your mouth may still feel numb for several hours after the dental appointment. During this period, most patients are susceptible to bite or burn themselves unknowingly since they are unable to feel the heat or pain sensations as normal. It is recommended that you avoid taking any hot fluids or chewing hard foods to avoid any injury during this time.

The site of the anesthetic injection particularly on the lower jaw may experience some bruising and inflammation after the procedure. However, this will go away spontaneously without the need for treatment after several days.

Since temporary crowns are only meant to be a temporary fix until a final crown is ready. Below are several guidelines on how to care for them.
– Do not chew hard foods such as raw vegetables. Such foods can break or dislodge the crown.
– Minimize using the side of your mouth which has the temporary crown. Change the bulk of your chewing to the other side of the mouth.
– Keep off chewy and sticky foods such as chewing gum and caramel which have the potential of pulling off and grabbing the crown.
– Your gums may feel sore for a while after the procedure. Keep the affected area clean as possible; you can soak your mouth by holding water in your mouth for 1-2 minutes and rinse gently using warm salty water.
– Since temporary crowns are not strong, they tend to break off occasionally. When this happens, contact your dentist as soon as possible and bring your crown with you so that it can be replaced. If you cannot reach to your dentist immediately, buy some dental adhesive to fix the crown as you wait to visit the dental office.

– Crown Falls off

Some tooth stumps are not as retentive as others. If you have divergent walls or a short stump, it is possible for your dental crown to fall off. However, this can be prevented by making changes during the design process. Additionally, if your crown is placed too loosely, it will tend torely a lot on the dental cement for retention.

– Chipped Crown

Crowns that are made of porcelain may sometimes crack or chip. If a tiny chip appears on the crown, a composite resin may be used to repair it without replacing the entire crown. However, if the chip is extensive, then the crown will need to be replaced.

– Crown Develops a Cavity or Starts to Decay

Like natural teeth, dental crowns need to be smooth and fitted properly so that it is easy to keep them clean. Also, there is a need to brush regularly, floss and visit your dentist at least twice a year to keep your crown margins cleaned.

– Discomfort, pain or sensitivity

Your tooth may feel sensitive following the dental crown procedure since the anaesthetic will start wearing off. Also, if the newly crowned tooth still has the delicate nerves in it, then it is possible for you to experience some heat and cold sensitivity. You may brush your teeth with Sensodyne toothpaste to reduce the sensitivity.

– The color of your Crown does not match that of your natural teeth over time

Unfortunately, the color of your newly crowned tooth may not match the color of your natural teeth 5 or 10 years to come. Usually, this is because your natural teeth tend to discolor while your crown will not. A good way of maintaining the same color your teeth is to invest in teeth whitening every year so that you can maintain the color of your natural teeth from permanently getting stained.

– Dark Line on the Crowned Tooth next to the Gum Line

It is normal to have a dark line next to your gum line especially if you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This dark line is the metal of dental crown showing through from the root.

– Crown Collects food remains around it

Usually, dental crowns are designed in a way that they fit the sides of your adjacent teeth firmly to avoid any food from getting stuck while eating. However, sometimes these contact points can widen thus trapping food,and this can occur when your teeth shift or move.

What may seem to be just an artificial cap for your tooth is a complex piece of art that is designed to serve you for many years. A smile is one of the main things people notice about you and with well-maintained teeth, you can feel more confident,and your overall well-being is improved.

While you have to make the best decision based on your dental condition and budget, we hope that this article offers you some insight and awareness on what is involved so that you can make an informed decision.

Dental bridges are a perfect solution for people who have lost their tooth or have gaps in between their mouth that is making their teeth loose. The dental bridge will fill the space where something is missing. This helps in creating a natural appearance as well as helps restore the tooth. While the jaw bone will secure other tooth replacement options such as dental implants, dental bridges will be secured by the adjacent teeth. These teeth are also known as the abutment teeth. Your dentist will place the replacement tooth in between surrounding teeth which already exist to hold it in place.

Four main types of bridges work in their way and accommodate the needs of different people.

– Traditional Fixed Bridges

This type of bridge is used to create a filler tooth that is supported by dental crowns. These crowns are placed over healthy teeth that are on the sides of the missing teeth to keep the bridge intact. Traditionally fixed bridges are the most commonly used bridges, and usually, they are made of ceramics or porcelain fused to metal.
Traditional Fixed bridges are used to fill in the gaps where there are healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. The healthy teeth are used to offer support to a bridge between them. These teeth will first need to be reshaped so that they can be fitted with the crowns before the bridge is placed.

– Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever bridges are commonly used when you have a single missing tooth either in the front or middle part of your teeth. This type of bridge involves replacing a missing tooth and placing a crown on one side of the healthy tooth to offer support to the bridge and keep it intact. This bridge type is not usually used on the back teeth because their chewing force can be great.

– Maryland Bonded Bridges

Maryland bonded bridges are also referred to as resin-bonded bridges. They are often made from plastic, porcelain or porcelain with metal. These bridges are all gum supported by porcelain or metal framework. The porcelain or metal wings are mostly bonded to one side of the bridge on the existing healthy teeth. Placement procedure of these bridges is often very easy and effective. It involves minimal alterations of the nearby teeth because it does not need reshaping and placement of dental crowns on other teeth.

– Removable Bridges/ Partial Dentures

While most of these bridges are permanently fixed into a person’s mouth, there are still some people who may prefer or benefit from the removable bridge. Similar to traditional bridges, removable bridges are customised to match a patient’s original teeth. These bridges are designed to have a gum coloured plastic base which is attached to the nearby teeth with precision attachments or metal clasps. Usually, this type of bridge is cheaper than dental crowns or implants,and they do not always offer the same stability or natural-look that fixed bridge offers.

People are always not immune to different dental problems. That creates a good reason why it is vital to always schedule routine dental check-ups with your dentist. However, if you have a missing tooth or gaps in between your mouth, dental bridges always come in handy. As long as they have been properly placed by your dentist and you properly cared for, they can provide you with high comfort and aesthetic. Here are some of the benefits you can accrue from dental bridges.

– Aesthetic

With dental bridges, your missing tooth will not only be replaced, but the colour and shape of your natural tooth will be restored. A dentist with experience in the field knows how to provide good spacing between the bridge and the natural teeth and also add a bit of flexibility. If you are looking for bridges that will perfectly match with your existing natural teeth, then porcelain material can adequately deliver that. Porcelain is also very resistant to stain.

– Durable

According to research, dental bridges are as durable as dental crowns. Yes, their durability cannot be compared to the natural tooth,but they will surely last for a lifetime if they are taken good care of. Ideally, the average lifespan of a dental bridge is a decade. Keep in mind that a part of your natural teeth is beneath the bridge and regular wear of the teeth will also affect the durability of the bridge. Schedule a dental appointment with a reputable dentist for dental bridge placement procedure for you to enhance the lifespan of your bridges.

– Secure

With dental bridges, you don’t have to worry that there will be instances when your bridges will slip out of the mouth. Your dentist will securely fix it into the mouth. Also, you don’t have to be concern that you will keep taking them out for cleaning.

– The procedure is Less Invasive that Dental Implants

one of the most common reasons whymost people prefer bridges is that they are less invasive. When it comes to dental implants, the entire process involves multiple surgical procedures. Moreover, you might be required to undergo another procedure of bone grafting if you don’t have sufficient bone structure. On the other hand, dental bridges are only fixed on your mouth without having to undergo some painful surgical procedures.

– Does not Consume Much Time

Another major benefit with dental implants is that the entire process is not time-consuming. Your dentist will quickly cement the bridge in place. Generally, dental bridges may consume a bit more time compared to dental crowns. However, the time consumed when it comes to dental bridges will still depend on the type of bridges you have selected. The entire process will only take two dental appointments to be completed.

– Prevents Bone Loss

When you lose a tooth, many adverse effects may occur to your oral health. Some of these effects are irreversible. Among these adverse effects that may occur isa bone loss in your jaws. The jaws need constant stimulation from the teeth when they connect for it to maintain its mass. The stimulation that will come from the dental bridges will damage the jaw bone to maintain its mass thus preventing bone loss.

– Restores Bite Force

Since the dental bridge will act as a replacement to your natural tooth, it will help you restore the biting force. This will help you to use your teeth evenly while chewing your food. It distributes the force evenly throughout the mouth unlike when you are forced to use one side more than other due to a missing tooth. The other reason why dental bridges have an awesome chewing force is that the forces are mainly passed to the adjacent teeth more than it is to the gums. Therefore, the teeth will perform the chewing process just like natural teeth would do. By Contrast, tooth replacement option such as dentures rests the chewing force exclusively on the gums.

– Prevents Changes in Shape of Your Face

The teeth play an integral role when it comes to supporting the facial structure. When you lose your teeth, it means that you will also lose that support. This causes the shape of your face to change making you appear older than you are. Dental bridges provide the same kind of support your natural teeth provides. This will help you prevent your face from changing in shape.

– Enables You to Speak Properly

Some tooth replacement options such as dentures can impact on the patient’s ability to pronounce some words in the right way. Missing teeth also alter your speech. Since dental bridges function and feel just like natural teeth, they enable you to speak naturally and easily.

– Easy to Maintain

Dental bridges do not require you to purchase any special products so that you can clean them. There is no need for any special flossing equipment, cleansing tablets or adhesive. You will be required to take care of dental bridges just the same way you do to your natural teeth. Ensure to always brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once.

– Prevent Teeth From Shifting or becoming Loose

The fact that teeth are naturally arranged neatly in a row, they provide support to each other preventing them from shifting or becoming loose. However, if you have a missing tooth, your teeth are at risk of shifting or becoming loose due to lack of support. Shifting of the teeth can lead to oral complications such as tooth decay, change in your bite or gum disease.

The Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, your dentist will first carry out a dental examination to determine if dental bridges are the right tooth replacement option for you. The dentist may use dental x-rays for a more comprehensive diagnosis. If you desire to have an implant supported bridge, this process will be a bit more complex than usual. It may involve the use of a CT scan as well as other advanced tests. He/she will also examine the health of your gums and other teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for the treatment.

Once the dentist has identified that dental bridges arethe ideal solution for you, you will be advised of different materials that can be used to make your replacement tooth. In most cases, the material to be used will depend on the position in the mouth the bridge is going to be placed. Also, this fully depends on whether or not you have the habit of grinding your teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Your budget will also determine the type of material to be used. With the advancement of technology today, bridges can be fabricated from a combination of different materials. Porcelain can be combined with metal or porcelain and gold. They can also be made out of high-strength metal-free materials such as alumina and zirconia.

During the installation of the dental bridge, your dentist will first administer local anaesthesia. This helps to prevent any pain or discomfort while the dentist is preparing the adjacent teeth that are supposed to offer support to the replacement tooth. In case the adjacent teeth are badly damaged or decayed, the dentist may have to treat them before proceeding with dental bridge placement procedure.

Next, the dentist will use a putty-like material to create a model of your teeth. Your teeth will be fabricated by a skilled lab technician based on the model. The lab technician needs to be accurate so that the replacement tooth can accurately and comfortably fit on the gap. It is vital that your bridge fit in you in the right manner to avoid any future oral complications such as tooth decay.

While your bridge is being fabricated in the lab, your dentist will fit you with a temporary tooth. It helps protect your teeth and gums from any damage before your permanent bridge can be ready. You will be required to go back to the dentist office for a second visit. The dentist will fit you with the bridge and cement it during this visit.

Healthy teeth are vital for both your confidence and well-being. Rendering to a recent study by the Australian Dental Association, half of the people above 50 years old think that a smile is the only bodily feature that remains the most attractive as people get old. That is the reason many people who have recently lost their teeth opt for dental bridges to keep their smile complete. If you have already received dental bridges, taking care of them is important for a stable smile and a healthy mouth. Here are a few simple tips you should apply to help you maintain your dental bridges in good shape.