If you have missing teeth and are unwilling to wear dentures, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge – a false tooth (pontic) held in position by teeth on each side of the gap. Dental bridges are permanent, meaning unlike removable dentures, they can allow you to eat and speak better. A dental bridge Sugar Land is often made of porcelain material and can be used to replace the front teeth. However, bridges can be made of other materials, including alloys and gold.
Types of dental bridges
Pontics are artificial teeth used in dental bridges; they are made to match the shape and size of the missing tooth closely.
Traditional fixed bridges are the most common type, consisting of a pontic held in place by dental crowns. Eligible patients for traditional fixed bridges should have natural teeth on both sides of the gap.
The only difference between Maryland dental bridges and traditional braces is in framework bonding: The former relies on metal and porcelain frames to support abutment teeth. This dental bridge often replaces front teeth and can only be used when you have a natural tooth on each side of the gap.
As the name might imply, implant-supported bridges use dental implants, surgically embedded in each missing tooth. These implants offer a solid foundation for the bridge, which may sometimes have a pontic if it’s impossible to use an implant for each missing tooth. Implant-supported bridges are considered the strongest and most stable system since the implants fuse with the jawbone. The procedure takes several months and involves two surgeries – one to embed the implants in your jaw and the second to place the bridge.
Cantilever dental bridges are barely in use nowadays. The pontic in a cantilever bridge receives support from a dental crown and is cemented to one abutment tooth. Your dentist may recommend this dental bridge when only one side of the gap has a natural tooth.
I’m I a good candidate for a dental bridge?
Not everyone is eligible for dental bridges, so you should talk to your dentist about whether they are the appropriate replacement option for you. Generally, a good candidate for a bridge has one or more permanent missing teeth, overall good health, healthy bone structure, good oral health, and can maintain oral hygiene.
How do I care for a dental bridge?
Taking care of your dental bridge is important since it helps you get the most out of it. Unlike dentures which you can take out, dental bridges are considered permanent; however, they won’t last forever. With proper care, bridges can last more than a decade, but the average lifespan is between five to seven years.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is important to caring for your dental bridge since you want to ensure your teeth remain strong and healthy. You want to brush and floss your bridge at least twice daily, like your natural teeth. Your dental hygienist will show you how to clean and properly floss around your bridge. Making bi-annual visits to your dentist for professional cleaning and exams is also important.
If you have missing teeth, consult your dentist at Advanced Dentistry to know if dentures are suitable.
