A dental bridge is a form of teeth replacement that involves attaching a replacement tooth (either a crown or a bridge) to abutment teeth, which are generally either natural teeth or implant-supported crowns. There are four main types of dental bridge treatments available, and this review discusses the differences with each one.
The most common types of dental bridge treatments are traditional dental bridge, implant-supported bridges, cantilever bridges, and Maryland bridges. Each offers unique advantages and one may be preferable to another depending on the specifics of the situation.
A traditional dental bridge is the most common at many dental practices. They are popular because they do not involve an invasive treatment process and provide optimal aesthetic and functional benefits. In fact, a traditional dental bridge looks and functions just the same as natural teeth.
A traditional bridge attaches to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants that are already in place. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth or a small section of teeth. One drawback to the traditional dental bridge is natural teeth may need to be shaved down to make room for the bridge attachment.
An implant-supported bridge works similar to a traditional dental bridge, except it involves the placement of two dental implants (one on each side of the missing section). This may be necessary if the closest natural teeth are not capable of supporting the bridge. Some patients may also elect this method to avoid altering their natural adjacent teeth. They last longer than a traditional bridge and preserve jawbone density. The drawbacks, however, are that they cost more and involve a longer treatment process.
A cantilever bridge only uses one anchor tooth, rather than an anchor tooth on each side. This is typically used for replacing a single missing tooth that is toward the front of the mouth, and it is not ideal to support teeth further back in the mouth that are used more for chewing, especially if multiple teeth are being replaced. However, a cantilever bridge is a great way to restore the appearance of your smile by replacing a missing tooth in a minimally invasive manner.
A Maryland bridge consists of winged frames on both sides of the replacement tooth. The winged frames are bonded on each side of the replacement tooth, and they hold the tooth strongly in its proper position. This is a minimally invasive way to replace a single missing tooth (or perhaps two or three teeth) without having to alter adjacent teeth. However, they are not typically as durable and long-lasting as a traditional dental bridge or an implant-supported bridge.
Here at our dental practice, we offer several different types of dental bridge treatments for tooth replacement. To learn more about your options and to make an informed decision about the best way for you to replace missing teeth, contact us today to set up a consultation visit.
Request an appointment here: https://www.escondidofamilydentistry.com or call Escondido Family Dental Care & Specialty Center at (760) 747-7223 for an appointment in our Escondido office.
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