A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that is used to literally bridge the gap between two teeth. Bridges are primarily used to hold artificial teeth in place by cementing a crown on the two healthy teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. The anchoring teeth are known as abutments and the false tooth attached to the crowns is known as the pontic.
If you have a missing tooth, or multiple missing teeth, a dental bridge is one of the best non-invasive ways to replace the missing tooth. However, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to get your mouth examined to determine the type of dental bridge to use to replace your missing tooth.
Like most prosthetic dental devices, dental bridges are made from a variety of materials. The most popular types of bridges are the ones made from porcelain and ceramic because they look like your natural teeth and can be color-matched to your teeth, making them hard to distinguish.
Metal alloy bridges are the cheapest option, but they are not as popular as porcelain or ceramic because they do not look like natural teeth and are easy to spot. Below are the different types of dental bridges currently available.
This is the most commonly used type of dental bridge. The procedure is used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the space where your missing tooth used to be. Dental crowns are cemented on both teeth and hold the artificial tooth in place in the space left by the missing tooth.
Traditional dental bridges are strong enough to replace your molars and can last years before they have to be replaced. The downside to traditional bridges is that your dentist will have to remove the enamel on the adjacent teeth to fit the crowns on top of them.
This type of dental bridge is a conservative alternative to a traditional bridge, used when patients do not want dental crowns used to hold the artificial tooth in place. The procedure requires the bonding of either a metal or porcelain framework to the back of the adjacent teeth.
Since the artificial tooth is held in place by a frame, it is not as sturdy as the traditional bridge, which holds the tooth in place with cement.
Like the traditional dental bridge, a cantilever bridge holds the artificial tooth in place by cementing the tooth. However, this method only uses one of the adjacent teeth to hold the artificial tooth in place.
Implant-supported bridges have become popular when it comes to replacing missing teeth because they can be used to fix multiple missing teeth at the same time. Instead of using dental crowns or frames, your dentist will replace your missing tooth with a dental implant, which holds the bridge in place.
This procedure is very popular because it is the most durable type of dental bridge. You do not have to worry about the bridge failing or your artificial teeth falling out of place because the implants are fused to your jaw bone and can last up to a lifetime if you take proper care of them.
Dental bridges are used to replace missing or damaged teeth, helping to restore your smile and confidence. If you have missing teeth and want to get the problem fixed, talk to your dentist to find out more about whether a dental bridge might be right for you.
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