Dental bridges actually bridge the gap left by missing teeth. If you are considering getting a dental bridge for this purpose, you will need some solid information to get you started. Not every dental bridge is for every patient. The best type can be determined at your initial consultation.
The most popular types of dental bridge in use today are the following:
- Traditional Bridges
- Cantilever Bridges
- Maryland Bridges
- Composite Bridges
- Implant-Supported Bridges
No matter what type of dental bridge that you and your dentist ultimately decide upon, you must practice proper oral hygiene at home to ensure that your bridge lasts as long as possible.
Traditional Bridge
The most popular type of dental bridge is still the traditional bridge. It can connect to either natural teeth or dental implants on each side of the gap left between teeth.
Traditional bridges are normally lightweight and small, offering nice chewing comfort through the redistribution of the bite force that has been affected by missing teeth.
One drawback of traditional bridges is that significant tooth enamel must be removed from the teeth that will be connected to the bridge. This is to ensure that space is available for the dental crowns. It is important that the abutment teeth are vital and stable so that your bridge will last for a long time.
Cantilever Bridge
If only one anchor tooth is available for supporting, a Cantilever bridge can be used. These types of bridges are typically used for front teeth.
Maryland Bridge
The Maryland Bridge is a conservative approach to the problem of missing teeth. It involves the use of plastic teeth, and is often called a resin-bonded bridge. Existing anchor teeth have metal attachments affixed onto them using a special resin.
The main advantage to the Maryland Bridge is that the abutment teeth will only require minimal contouring. This is a relatively inexpensive treatment compared to a traditional fixed bridge.
Not everyone makes a good candidate for receiving a Maryland bridge, as those with cross bites or deep bites are not considered to be candidates.
Composite Bridge
If you are looking for an affordable and simple solution to replacing teeth, and only have one or two that are missing, a Composite bridge may be helpful. These are typically installed in only one appointment. It involves the placement of a composite bonding material right into the empty space.
Implant-Supported Bridge
The implant-supported bridge is becoming increasingly popular, largely due to its ability to provide a solution to missing teeth without damaging adjacent teeth. No tooth structure requires removal for this type of bridge, as stability is provided by the implants on either side of the bridge.
Implant-supported bridges are extremely stable, as they are anchored by dental implants that are placed right into the jawbone, which naturally fuses around them for firm support.
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Would you like to further explore your treatment options for missing teeth? If so, we encourage you to contact our office today to schedule an appointment or consultation.