What Is a Dental Bridge, and Why Might I Need One?

What Is a Dental Bridge, and Why Might I Need One?

Dental bridges are permanent appliances that replace missing teeth. It comprises many different pieces, connecting to fit into the slot with missing teeth. They are a substitute for partial dentures. Dental bridges serve both aesthetic and practical purposes. They enable you to speak and chew better. They also help restore your teeth’s appearance.

Dental bridges come in different materials, such as alloys, porcelain, or gold. Porcelain is more suitable for replacing front teeth. They tend to match the natural color of your teeth.

Different Types of Dental Bridges

An artificial tooth used in a dental bridge is commonly known as a pontic. For each missing tooth, you will have a pontic closely matching the size and shape of the original tooth. The pontics are later anchored to a dental implant.

Here are the four main types of dental bridges:

The Traditional Dental Bridge

Traditional fixed dental bridges comprise an artificial tooth or teeth held in place by dental crowns. These crowns are well-cemented onto the abutment teeth. These dental bridges are the most common type of dental bridges. They are suitable if you have natural teeth on either side of the slot created by a missing tooth.

Maryland Dental Bridges

These dental bridges substitute for your missing front teeth. Unlike traditional dental bridges, they do not use crowns. Instead, they use metal or porcelain frameworks. They become bonded onto the back of your teeth. But this can only happen if you have natural teeth on either side of the gap where the missing tooth was.

Cantilever Dental Bridges

Medical professionals rarely use these types of dental bridges nowadays. With a cantilever dental bridge, the pontic gets support from a single abutment tooth. It is a feasible option if you have a natural tooth on one side of the toothless gap.

Implant-supported Dental Bridges

In this dental surgery, dentists surgically embed dental implants in the jawbone for every missing tooth in one procedure. Later, the bridge containing the pontics fits over them in another surgery. Experts consider it to be the most stable and durable dental bridge. The surgery can take a few months to complete.

Why You Might Need a Dental Bridge

A missing tooth or teeth can impact you in many ways. Fortunately, a dental bridge can address those issues. Some reasons you might need dental bridges include:

• It restores your ability to chew properly.
• It restores your smile, boosting your confidence.
• It improves your pronunciation and speech.
• Protects your remaining teeth from shifting out of their natural position.
• It readjusts your bite, evenly distributing the force when chewing.
• It helps maintain the shape of your face.

Overview

If you are missing a tooth or some teeth, you have various options. But before choosing a replacement option, you should discuss it with your dentist. There are many factors to consider before deciding. Ensure you understand the benefits and risks of dental bridges beforehand.

For more on dental bridges, visit Elite Dentistry & Implant Center at our office in Chelsea, Alabama. You can also call 205-224-0040 to book an appointment today.