Dentures and bridges are two of the most popular and widely used dental restoration treatments available today. They are both designed to improve a patient’s oral health, enhance their appearance, and correct any dental irregularities. If you are considering either of these treatments, it is essential to understand more about them and the benefits they provide.
First of All, What Are Dentures and Bridges?
When natural teeth are lost, prosthetic devices such as dentures and bridges can fill in the gaps. Dentures are false teeth that replace missing teeth and sit on the gums to provide the wearer with the appearance and function of their original teeth. Instead of using the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors, a bridge uses the teeth on either side to hold an artificial tooth, or pontic, in place while the two crowns fused together. Both solutions are long-lasting and can last between five and seven years with the right maintenance and regular dental examinations.
How Are Dentures and Bridges Made and Applied?
Dentures and bridges are made at a dental laboratory after an impression of the patient’s mouth is taken and the patient has minimal discomfort throughout the process. Dentists will then provide patients with interim dentures or bridges until permanent restorations can be made. It may take more than one visit to the dentist before the patient is satisfied with their new smile and can use their teeth for normal chewing and speaking. In order to maintain good oral health and ensure that your dentures or bridges fit properly, you will need to schedule follow-up appointments at the dentist on a regular basis after their final fitting.
If cared for properly, dentures and bridges can survive for years without replacement. Dentists, orthodontists, and other dental health care providers are driven by a desire to restore patients’ self-esteem by helping them smile again with their natural teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Dentures and Bridges?
People who are missing teeth or who have teeth that don’t function properly can benefit from dentures and bridges. Dentures are a removable, non-permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth. Bridges can be a cheap and long-lasting alternative to dentures when it comes to helping to fill the space created by lost teeth. Dentures and bridges can aid a person in speaking, eating, and even brushing their remaining natural teeth, in addition to improving their appearance and self-confidence. They benefit existing teeth in the mouth by redistributing bite forces that occur during chewing, so reducing stress on those teeth and promoting their health.
How Do I Care For My Dentures or Bridges?
It takes time and effort to properly maintain your dentures or bridge. Always wash them right after use, and never leave them in water for more than a few hours. To begin, brush the appliance like you would your natural teeth with a soft-bristled brush. You should clean your denture with a gentle cleanser such as soap and water or a dedicated denture cleaner to prevent any damage.
Dentures, after being cleaned, should be kept in a glass of cold water to prevent them from warping and shattering.
Be sure the glue you use for your dental tools is of good quality. It’s important to use very hot water throughout the bonding process so that the adhesive can set before you put the denture back in your mouth. Finally, even if you’re confident in your dentures’ ability to keep your teeth healthy, you should still schedule frequent dental checkups to be safe.
Conclusion
Dentures and bridges are standard solutions for missing teeth, but knowing what to expect is crucial. While dentures and bridges can improve a person’s quality of life in many ways, it’s also important to be aware of their limitations. In order to make an informed selection, it is important to consult with your dentist. In order to keep your dentures or Bridges in good condition, you must also adhere to a few maintenance routines. With the right aftercare, your dentures or bridge can last for years.
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