#104 Lücken schließen mit Brückenversorgungen – Dental Bridges: Closing the Gap

00:00:03: Sabine Nemec: Herzlich willkommen zu Dental English to go. Ich bin Sabine Nemec und lade Euch ein, mit diesem Podcast Euer Englisch aufzufrischen. Ich möchte Euch zeigen, dass es ganz leicht ist, sich im Praxisalltag auf Englisch zu verständigen. Jede Woche schauen wir uns eine bestimmte Situation in der Zahnarztpraxis an und trainieren/üben die passenden Vokabeln und die richtige Aussprache. So here is your weekly dose of language refresher.

00:00:33: In this first lesson of our ninth season, we will continue our journey through restorative dentistry. Today we’ll talk about the different types of dental bridges and the benefits. So, let’s start! Dental bridges are a restorative option for missing teeth and in most cases do not require any surgery. Bridges are a good choice if your patient wants a faster, less invasive solution. Zahnbrücken sind eine restaurative Versorgungsoption bei fehlenden Zähnen. Sie erfordern in den meisten Fällen keinen chirurgischen Eingriff und sind eine gute Wahl, wenn Patienten eine schnellere und weniger invasive Lösung wünschen.

00:01:33: Let’s start with a comprehensible explanation of dental bridges for your patient: A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It “bridges” the gap between natural teeth or implants and restores chewing function, speech, and appearance.

00:02:04: Next, let’s talk about the different types of dental bridges. Different dental bridges suit various needs. Traditional bridges are the most common type. They are used when healthy teeth are present on both sides of the gap. The bridge is supported by crowns on the neighboring teeth. Crowns are placed on the abutment teeth, holding an artificial tooth or pontic in the gap. Cantilever bridges are similar to traditional bridges and are the choice for single-tooth gaps. They are used when there is only one adjacent tooth, which is often the case in the back of the mouth. The bridge is supported by a tooth on only one side. Maryland bridge or adhesive bridge is a conservative option which is bonded to the back of neighboring teeth with metal or ceramic wings. It is often used for replacing front teeth or when minimal tooth structure is desired. Minimal tooth alteration is needed with resin-bonded bridges. An implant-supported bridge is anchored by implants surgically placed in the jawbone for maximum stability and strength. The bridge is supported by dental implants instead of natural teeth. The implant-supported bridge is best for replacing multiple missing teeth or when teeth are not suitable for traditional bridges. A dentist’s choice is based on the gap's location, surrounding tooth health, and bone supporting structure. This kind of bridge is very stable and long-lasting.

00:05:05: Now, we will review the key reasons for a dental bridge as a patient dialogue. Dentist: “Mr. Frank, I’d like to talk to you about replacing the missing tooth in this area. One of the best options for you is a dental bridge, and I’d like to explain why.” Patient: “Okay. Why is it so important to replace it?” Dentist: “First, a dental bridge fills the gap where the tooth is missing. This gives you a complete, natural-looking smile, which helps many patients feel more confident when they smile or speak.” Patient: “Yes, I do feel a bit self-conscious about the gap.” Dentist: “A bridge also helps you chew more easily and comfortably. Missing teeth can make chewing difficult, and they can even affect your speech. Replacing the tooth helps you speak more clearly again.” Patient: “What happens if I don’t replace it?” Dentist: “The neighboring teeth can start to shift into the gap. This can change your bite and lead to further dental problems, such as uneven wear or jaw discomfort.” “Replacing a missing tooth also helps maintain your facial structure. When teeth are missing, the jawbone in that area can slowly shrink, which may affect the shape of your face over time.” Patient: “I didn’t know that.” Dentist: “Many patients don’t, but it’s an important reason to act early.” “Finally, a bridge helps ensure that chewing forces are evenly distributed across your teeth. This protects your remaining teeth from being overloaded.” “In short, a dental bridge improves appearance, function, and long-term oral health. It’s a reliable, fixed solution that helps keep your smile healthy and stable.” Patient: “That makes sense. I can see why a bridge would be a good idea.” Dentist: “Great. If you like, we can now talk about the procedure and the next steps.”

00:08:14: Here is your overview of the vocabulary of this week’s lesson: to replace – ersetzen, austauschen to shrink – schrumpfen, zurückgehen adhesive – anhaftend similar – ähnlich, vergleichbar overloaded – überlastet reliable – zuverlässig artifical tooth – künstlicher Zahn speech – Sprache oder Aussprache chewing function – Kaufunktion gap - Lücke minimal tooth alteration – minimale Zahnveränderung / Entfernung von Zahnsubstanz procedure – Ablauf, Behandlung, Vorgehensweise uneven wear – ungleichmäßige Abnutzung

00:09:33: Das war unsere Lesson für diese Woche. Nächste Woche befassen wir uns mit der Beratung und Information von Patienten zum Thema Brücken. Wenn Ihr noch mehr Dental Englisch trainieren wollt, empfehle ich Euch mein Buch „Dental English“, erschienen im Quintessenz Verlag, oder auch die Fachzeitschrift „Team Journal“ – hier findet Ihr in jeder Ausgabe eine Übung. Vielen Dank fürs Zuhören. Wenn es Euch gefallen hat, dann abonniert diesen Podcast. Es gibt jeden Montag eine neue Folge – überall, wo es Podcasts gibt. Wenn Ihr Fragen habt, dann schreibt auf Instagram oder an podcast@quintessenz.de. Alle Links und Adressen findet ihr auch in den Shownotes. Ich sage: Goodbye and see you next week! Das war Dental English to go mit Sabine Nemec: der Englisch-Podcast für den Praxisalltag – ein Quintessence Podcast.