When you miss a tooth or several teeth, you start searching for tooth replacement solutions. The loss may have occurred due to injury, aging, or infections. However, the lack of a tooth or teeth in your mouth causes a loss of confidence and makes you self-conscious about your smile. If you discuss the matter with the dentist near you, they will likely recommend dental bridges to bridge the gap in your smile.
If you are unaware of dental bridges, let us explain that a dental bridge is an artificial tooth, also called a Pontic, held in place by supporting teeth on either side of the edentulous gap left by the missing tooth. Several materials, including gold, help make pontics. However, they are generally created from porcelain to blend aesthetically with your remaining natural teeth. If you think you must have replacements for the missing tooth or teeth, you must visit dental bridges to determine which type of dental bridge best suits your unique needs. Do not consider dental bridges as artificial replacements available over the counter that you can purchase. Instead, look at the different types of dental bridges mentioned below to determine which variety is best for your needs.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges will likely surprise you with information that you can have four types of dental bridges to replace your missing teeth. Each variant is different and is suitable for a specific purpose. The four types of bridges are traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges. First, let us look at how each variant helps you replace your lost teeth.
Traditional Dental Bridge
Traditional dental bridges comprise a false tooth secured by dental crowns bonded onto the abutment teeth. Traditional dental bridges are the most popular and are beneficial if you have natural teeth on both sides of the edentulous gap created by your missing tooth.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
Cantilever dental bridges are comparable to traditional dental bridges. However, their application differs because cantilever bridges are held by a dental crown cemented on one abutment tooth. Therefore, the dentist offers you a cantilever bridge so long as you have one natural tooth next to the edentulous gap.
Maryland Dental Bridge
Maryland dental bridges demand two supporting teeth on either side of the gap left by the lost tooth. However, Maryland bridges don’t need dental crowns on the abutment teeth because a metal or porcelain framework helps bond the bridge to the back of the supporting teeth. Therefore, Maryland bridges are beneficial if you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap left by the missing tooth.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported Bridges need dental implants rather than crowns or frameworks. One implant is necessary for every missing tooth, and the placement holds the dental bridge in place after you recover from the surgical procedure. If you cannot have one implant for every missing tooth, the dentist can suspend the artificial tooth between two implant-supported crowns.
Implant-supported bridges are the most robust and stable option requiring two surgeries. The first surgery embeds the implant into your jawbone, and the second is to place the dental bridge. However, the procedure requires several months before it is finished.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
If you get dental bridges near you, rest assured the tooth replacement solution will restore all the abilities you lost with your natural tooth. Dental bridges help improve your chewing and eating abilities without impacting your speech. In addition, if missing teeth cause you to hide your smile, dental bridges will ensure your smile unhesitatingly by bridging the gap left by your natural tooth.
Missing teeth don’t merely impact your smile and aesthetic appearance. If you are unaware of how missing teeth can affect your overall health, you will help yourself by learning that one missing tooth in your mouth encourages your remaining teeth to shift toward the vacant gap. The tooth in the opposite jaw also moves upwards or downwards to create a bad bite in your mouth. In addition, the blank gap created by the missing tooth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and infections, causing various issues like gum disease and cavities. You also begin losing jawbone, which causes your face to have a sagging appearance, making you look older. Fortunately, dentistry has several options to replace a missing tooth or teeth using solutions like dental bridges.
We are confident you will consider visiting the dentist to understand all information about dental bridges and determine which variety best suits your needs to bridge the gaps in your mouth as soon as possible.