Types of Dental Bridges

Having all your teeth is important because it helps distribute the pressure exerted during biting and chewing. Missing a single tooth or several teeth leaves a gap behind, which may cause the surrounding teeth to move and drift out of their right place. If the lost dental is not replaced on time, it can result in pain, bite problems, chewing difficulty, and misaligned teeth which alters your smile appearance. Not to mention, missing teeth raise the odds of possibly suffering gum disease and tooth decay.

There are various dental replacement options available at Dental Arts Westbay Dental, such as dental implants, tooth bridges, and dentures. Unfortunately, not everyone makes a good candidate for tooth implants; hence, opt for a dental bridge, which is the next ideal option.

A bridge is a dental restoration that dentists in Tampa use to fill missing teeth gaps and uses adjacent teeth for support. A tooth bridge consists of two parts, the pontic, which is the false tooth that bridges the gap between teeth, and the abutment, which is the surrounding natural teeth that support a dental bridge.

A dentist near you will help determine whether you need to get a bridge or not, depending on the preferences you have and your specific needs. If you make a candidate for a tooth bridge, Dr. Eric Boe, a dentist in 33635, will help you choose the type of bridge that best suits you.

Dental Bridge Types

The four main types of bridges that you will find at a dental office near you are traditional bridges, Maryland bridges, cantilever bridges, and composite bridges. The various dental bridge types avail a variety of options for its users to choose from. Here is a more detailed view of the most used dental bridges.

• 1. Traditional bridges

These are the most popular and most used bridge type for missing teeth restoration. You qualify to get them placed if you have implants or natural teeth adjacent to the gap left by the missing dental. Traditional bridges are usually small and lightweight and offer ideal chewing comfort as it redistributes the bite force compromised by the missing teeth.

They are also popular because they have a long life span if an optimum level of oral hygiene is maintained at home. You will also need to keep up with regular dental checkups at your dentist’s office.

The main drawback of traditional bridges is the enamel reduction, where parts of your teeth’ enamel are removed and cut to create room for crowns. Because your enamel does not have the capabilities to regenerate, your abutment teeth are left vulnerable and will always need well-fitted crowns for protection.

• 2. Maryland bridge

Maryland bridges are more conservative in nature compared to traditional dental bridges. This is because they use a porcelain or metal framework for support; hence no need for adjacent teeth to be filed as the support frame is fixed on the back of your abutment teeth.

Although this bridge type will help conserve your natural enamel, its strength is limited because the resin that holds it in position is not designed to withstand strong biting forces. Maryland bridges are, therefore, not suited for the replacement of missing back teeth.

• 3. Cantilever bridge

A cantilever bridge is another option to consider when replacing lost teeth. It is similar to traditional bridges since its pontic is also supported by a crown. To get a cantilever bridge, you need to have only a single natural tooth next to your missing dental gap. This tooth bridge is, however, not recommended for the replacement of missing teeth that are subjected to strong bite forces.

• 4. Composite bridge

A composite bridge is worth considering for someone with a missing tooth or two and is looking for an easy, affordable dental restoration solution. This bridge is made and placed in a single visit but the materials used are susceptible to chipping and debonding.

Advantages of Dental Bridges

The following are some of the pros of getting a bridge:

• Bridges look and function like your natural teeth
• They restore the smile and natural face shape of people with missing teeth
• Dental bridges improve your chewing and speaking abilities
• They prevent natural teeth from shifting out of place