What is a dental bridge?
Many adult patients experience tooth loss at some point in their lives and while it is ideal to keep all of your natural teeth, sometimes it is simply not possible. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available to replace one more missing teeth. A dental bridge is one such option that is ideal for almost all patients.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis that utilizes crowns and fake teeth, or pontics, to fill the space left by a missing tooth. A bridge is permanently cemented in place and can be made with porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain fused to metal. There are actually a few different types of dental bridges available, and your doctor will help you determine which type will best suit your needs. Let's take a closer look at the types of dental bridges.
Traditional Dental Bridge
Traditional bridge is the most common type used to treat missing teeth. Depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced, a bridge can be constructed of two crowns with the necessary number of pontics between the crowns. So, a three tooth bridge will have one pontic with a crown attached on each side. The crowns are cemented in place on the healthy teeth on each side of the space.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
A cantilever bridge works the same as a traditional bridge and is used when there is only one healthy tooth to attach the bridge too. So instead of two crowns on each side of the pontic, there is just one which is cemented in place on the healthy tooth, leaving the pontic free on one side. This type of bridge is not as secure as a traditional bridge and can cause damage to the anchor tooth since the pressure of chewing and speaking is not shared with another crowned tooth.
Maryland Dental Bridge
A Maryland bridge is completely different from previously discussed bridges. Instead of crowns, the pontic is held in place by metal wings on either side of the tooth which are cemented onto the back of the neighboring teeth. A Maryland bridge can only be used on the front teeth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
An implant bridge is the most durable type of bridge available. A dental implant is placed, and two or more implant crowns are secured onto the implant. Four large spaces, two implants may be placed to support three or more implant crowns.
Each type of dental bridge will restore the function of your mouth to keep your smile complete and healthy. Without treatment, a missing tooth can lead to your teeth shifting, bone deterioration, and additional tooth loss which is why it is so important to replace a missing tooth.
Regular visits to your dentist are crucial for maintaining the health of your dental bridge. They will be able to catch any issues before they become a bigger problem such as decay under the crowns or if the bridge becomes loose. Not everyone is a candidate for every type of dental bridge, but your dentist will be able to help you determine which type of bridge will best suit your needs and accommodate your lifestyle.