A dental bridge is a tooth replacement option that does not require incisions to be made into the gums. However, there are many different types of dental bridges, and finding the perfect one can feel overwhelming. While your dentist will usually recommend what they think is best, it can be helpful to know the available types ahead of time. This way, you can make an informed decision about your oral healthcare or prepare questions to ask your dentist.
Dental bridges come in many forms, but what unites them is that they leverage the teeth around the gap made by a missing tooth in order to suspend a replacement in that space. The main types of dental bridges that patients can choose from are as follows.
The most common type of bridge, a traditional bridge, uses one tooth on each side of a gap to support a prosthetic tooth in between. The two natural teeth are shaped to the extent that they can each be covered by a crown, onto which the prosthetic is attached. Due to the need for two crowns supporting the false tooth between them, a traditional bridge only works when the person is missing one tooth between two healthy teeth.
Unlike traditional bridges, which affix crowns to teeth on either side of a gap, cantilever bridges only require one supporting tooth. This makes them more common for treating missing teeth at the end of a dental arch, where only one tooth remains to support the bridge. The rest of the process is the same, with an abutment being placed as a crown on one tooth to support the prosthetic.
One of the challenges that dentists face is the front teeth not being as conducive to crowning as the back teeth. So, if a person needs a bridge on the front teeth, a Maryland bridge could be an alternative. This type of bridge uses “wings” bonded to the backs of two nearby teeth to hold a prosthetic in place.
The supports attached to the backs of the teeth are not visible when a person smiles. Maryland bridges cannot withstand strong bite forces (such as those experienced by the molars), so they are typically only used for front teeth.
Some patients may be good candidates for removable bridges, also called partial dentures. These installations are created using a mold of the patient’s mouth and can be snapped in or out like a retainer whenever the patient wishes. However, their removable nature makes them less sturdy than other types of bridges.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Bridges in Allen, TX
A dental bridge is an accessible way to replace a missing tooth, and with so many options available, patients of all types can find a solution that suits their needs. Contact our dentist to discuss which kind of bridge might be a good fit for your oral situation and to ask any questions about the process.
Request an appointment or call P.A. Dental Arts at 214-217-2242 for an appointment in our Allen office.
Addressing the space left behind after an extraction is essential, as leaving it untreated can lead to a multitude of functional and aesthetic challenges. A dental bridge is an appliance, one of four types, that effectively addresses each challenge by filling the space, leaving you with a complete and functional smile. This causes a ripple…
A dental bridge is a restoration that relies on dental crowns and a short or larger row of artificial prosthetic teeth. It is completely customized to each patient so as to ensure a snug fit. Dental bridges have become one of the most popular ways to replace teeth that are missing as they help restore…
A dental bridge can replace missing teeth, restore your ability to chew food and improve your appearance and oral health. Depending on the type, a bridge consists of one or two dental crowns (one on either side of the gap) that fit over your existing teeth, two dental implants, or two metal wings and a…
