A dental bridge is adjusted primarily by identifying high points using colored paper and then grinding those points with a fine drill to correct the bite.
Understanding Dental Bridge Adjustment
Proper alignment of a dental bridge is crucial for comfort and long-term oral health. Issues with your bite, where the upper and lower teeth meet, can arise after a bridge is placed. These bite problems can potentially lead to damage to your natural teeth and even chronic jaw pain. Therefore, adjusting the bridge to ensure a correct and comfortable bite is a standard procedure.
The Adjustment Process
Adjusting a dental bridge focuses on ensuring it fits correctly within your bite and doesn't interfere with the natural way your teeth come together. Based on the provided information, the process involves specific steps:
- Identifying Contact Points: Your dentist will typically use a thin piece of colored paper. You will be asked to bite down on this paper, and it leaves marks on the bridge (and possibly opposing teeth) where the heaviest contact occurs. This helps the dentist find points of contact that might be too high or uneven.
- Grinding the Bridge: Once the high points or incorrect contact areas are identified, the bridge can then be ground with a fine drill. This careful grinding removes tiny amounts of the bridge material in the specific areas marked by the colored paper, allowing the bridge to sit properly and integrate smoothly with your bite.
It's important to understand that achieving the ideal bite may take time and precision. In some instances, it may take more than one visit to have the bridge properly adjusted to ensure comfort and function.
