Dr. Sushma Halthore is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Dental Bridges.
Q. What are dental bridges?
A. A dental bridge is an artificial prosthesis to replace missing tooth/ teeth. Bridge is a permanent prosthesis where the dentist cements the bridge to teeth using dental cements. The patients have to floss and brush around the bridge, it is fixed and does not have to taken out like dentures.
Q. How are bridges made?
A. Fabrication of dental bridges involves many steps.
After thorough oral examination and planning the dentists prepares the abutments (teeth that support the bridge) and makes an accurate measurements of the patients teeth and other oral structures .The measurements are then sent to the dental laboratories where the bridge is done using very precise technique. Bridges can make out of Metal (precious/ semi precious), combination of metal and porcelain (ceramics), or just ceramics. However porcelain fused to metal bridges are most common.
Q. How long do bridges last?
A. The average life of a dental bridge spans anywhere from 5- 10 years. Some bridges last for about 15-20 years also] . The life of bridge depends on many factors including patient’s general health, periodontal health and oral hygiene .It is very important to brush and floss the bridges.
Q. How do bridges work?
A. A dental bridge consists of 2 components abutments and pontics .Abutments are teeth present adjacent to missing teeth (front and back). Pontics are units that replace the missing teeth.
The bridge derives its support from the abutment teeth. For example, if somebody is missing a lower first molar then bridge can be made to replace this teeth by utilizing second premolar and second molar which becomes abutments. The dentist would shave these 2 teeth and take measurements and send it to the lab. When the bridge comes back it will have 3 crowns connected together. The dentist cements this bridge to abutment teeth after checking for fit, comfort and contour and bite.
Q. How can we contact Dr. Halthore if we have further questions?
A.
Sushma Halthore DMD
Grove Street dental Care
#175 newark ave #2 B
Jersey city, NJ 07302
Phone 201-200-0222
Website: www.grovestreetdental.com.
Email:info@grovestreetdental.com.
