A dental bridge is a customized device that replaces one or more missing teeth. It is anchored to neighboring teeth and fills the gap to enhance your smile. This article explains how dental bridges can improve dental well-being.
How Do Bridges Work?
A bridge has artificial teeth fused between two porcelain crowns that attach to healthy teeth on each side of the gap made by the missing tooth. This creates a bridge that crosses the space to replace what is missing.
Benefits of Bridges
Dental bridges fill gaps in lost teeth. Bridges have false teeth between crowns on natural teeth. This replaces missing teeth for a better smile. Bridges let you bite and chew normally. They prevent face shape changes from missing teeth. Bridges spread the chewing force around. Custom bridges need several dental visits to fit right. Talk to your dentist to see if a bridge could restore your smile.
Bridges vs. Dental Implants
Like bridges, dental implants are tooth replacements, but they are fused to the jawbone. Implants are individual artificial tooth roots, while bridges span spaces with joint crowns. Talk to your dentist about which restoration choice is best for your needs.
The Bridge Process
Getting a bridge takes several steps. The anchoring teeth are prepped for crowns to hold the bridge. Your dentist takes impressions to custom-make the bridge. Temporary crowns are put on while the permanent bridge is crafted. The finished bridge is bonded in after ensuring proper fit. Expect multiple dental visits for your custom bridge.
Types of Bridges
Common bridge types are traditional, cantilever, Maryland-bonded, and implant-supported. Traditional bridges have artificial teeth held by crowns. Cantilever bridges attach to teeth on one side. Maryland-bonded bridges adhere to teeth without crowns. Implant bridges anchor to dental implants in the jawbone.
Consult Our Dentist for Options
Discuss options to determine the best bridge design for your particular case. Dental bridges effectively restore smiles ruined by missing teeth. Consult a dentist to see if a bridge could help complete your smile.