Bridge the Gap in Your Smile With a Dental Bridge

No one has to live with a gap in their smile due to missing teeth when a dental bridge offers a versatile and effective solution. It is also important to remember that replacing missing teeth is more than just a matter of cosmetics. Here is why bridging that gap teeth is important and how a dental bridge can help.

Replacing missing teeth: Why it is crucial

People should realize that replacing missing teeth is more than just a matter of aesthetics. Having a full set of teeth also supports oral function and health. In fact, missing just one tooth can cause other teeth in that arch to shift out of place, throwing off bite alignment and impacting chewing and speaking function.

Furthermore, an out-of-alignment smile can even present challenges for oral health, creating more hard-to-reach areas where bacteria can collect. Tooth loss can also lead to jawbone loss, further aggravating these problems. Therefore, finding a tooth replacement solution sooner rather than later is important.

How a dental bridge works

The dental bridge is one of the most popular tooth replacement options. It anchors a replacement tooth or set of teeth to the surrounding natural teeth or dental implants. The false tooth then bridges the gap between the two teeth. There are a few different types of bridges to consider

• Traditional: A false tooth in between two crowns that attach to natural teeth.
• Cantilever: A false tooth and only one crown to attach to one adjacent tooth.
• Maryland: False tooth attaches via a metal framework bonded to the back of adjacent teeth, often for front teeth replacement.
• Implant-supported: Like a traditional bridge, but the crowns attach to dental implants, often used if the patient is missing three or more teeth in a row.

In addition to these different styles, a dental bridge can consist of porcelain, metal, composite resin, various other materials, or a combination of materials.

Benefits of dental bridges

This wide variety of options makes the dental bridge a versatile tooth replacement method, allowing the dentist to tailor the restoration to a patient's needs and concerns. For example, if the patient needs to replace molars, the dentist may suggest a traditional metal bridge for strength. In contrast, a porcelain or composite resin Maryland bridge may be suggested to replace a front tooth.

In addition to this versatility, the dentist can also design a cost-effective bridge. Since a dental bridge is fixed in place, the patient will not have to adjust their dental hygiene routine much or change how they eat. Also, there is no adjustment period, unlike the one with a partial denture, which patients must also remove for cleaning as well.

How treatment works

Most dental bridge treatments only take a few appointments. During the first appointment, the dentist will alter the teeth to accommodate the crowns and then take a mold of the area where the bridge will go. This mold is to a lab to craft the bridge. The patient returns a week or so later for placement of the permanent bridge. Typically, the dentist gives the patients a temporary bridge to wear in the interim.