The 5 Common Types of Dental Bridges

A bridge is an effective solution to people who have a tooth missing or a wide gap that causes their teeth to loosen. Missing teeth will create gaps that will bring discomfort to your jaw and cause you pain when you chew.

What is a Bridge?

Dental bridges are pontics, also known as false teeth that are held in position by anchoring teeth which are also referred to as abutment teeth. In collaboration, these two will cover the gaps in your mouth. Natural teeth and dental implants are the supporting structures for bridges.

Bridges are used to restore smiles and peoples’ ability to speak and chew properly. By acting as teeth replacements, dental bridges will redistribute your bite forces and prevent your other teeth from moving out of place.

If you are thinking of going for bridges, visit My STL Dentist clinic and fill the gap in your smile.

Who Needs It?

You will need a dental bridge if:

• One of your teeth falls out or is extracted by the dentist due to extensive decay.
• You get involved in an accident, and your tooth gets damaged beyond repair.
• Your infection or decay is way deep within your tooth such that neither root canal nor a filling is sufficient.

The 5 Main Types of Dental Bridges

1. 1. Traditional Bridges

Among all other types of bridges, traditional bridges are the most commonly used. This is because they are small and lightweight. When you lose your teeth, your bite force gets compromised.
Traditional bridges will redistribute those forces giving you the best chewing comfort. The bridge will last for a long period of time if you observe your hygiene and give it proper maintenance care.
During the installation procedure, enamel from the anchoring teeth will be cut to create room for crowns. This is the major drawback of these bridges as the enamel won’t regenerate itself. This means that the supporting teeth will always have to be fitted with crowns for protection.

1. 1. Maryland Bridges

Maryland bridges are known for their conservative nature. It consists of fake teeth held in position by a porcelain framework or a metal. For this procedure to begin, there have to be at least two adjacent teeth to the tooth that’s missing where the framework will be bonded onto. One advantage of these bridges is that no teeth filing will be done because it’s not the crowns that will hold the bridge in place.

The strength of Maryland bridges is limited and cannot withstand subjection to a lot of force. Thus, they cannot be used to replace molars and premolars as they are likely to drift out of their position. At times, your bite may be affected by the framework.

1. 1. Implant-Supported Bridges

This is another option available for the replacement of missing teeth. Dental implants are used to support these bridges, and for every tooth that is missing, an implant will be placed at the gap of the missing tooth. The series of dental implants positioned, offer support for the bridge. If this is not possible, implant-supported crowns are used to suspend the fake tooth which is then positioned.

Implant-supported bridges are gaining popularity because they are easy to clean and maintain, and they feel more comfortable and secure, just like your former natural teeth.

One disadvantage of these bridges is that you will have to visit the dentist twice before the bridges are placed. During the first visit, the implants will be placed while the bridges await your next visit.

1. 1. Composite Bridge

Composite bridges offer an affordable and easy solution to teeth replacement issues. It only takes a day to make and install these bridges at the dentist. It involves recreating the tooth that’s missing with a plastic tooth-filling bonding material. These bridges are considered temporary and are prone to chipping because the composite material that isused to make it is not strong.

1. 1. Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever bridges are mostly used when only one abutment tooth is available to hold the missing teeth. The bridge is designed for front teeth replacement as there is a less biting force involved. Biting forces have to be considered when designing these bridges in the lab.