Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that take the place of missing teeth to restore your smile. Of course, having a dental bridge is about more than just aesthetics. Missing teeth can affect your overall dental health and how you chew and talk. Therefore, those who are missing a tooth or multiple teeth should consider all the benefits dental bridges offer.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are four types of dental bridges. Each one serves a specific purpose.
1. Traditional
Most people are familiar with traditional dental bridges. This type of bridge consists of dental crowns, which serve as anchors for the bridge. Between the crowns are pontics or prosthetic teeth.
The natural teeth on each side of the gap serve as abutments or support structures for the bridge. The crowns fit over the abutments on each side of the gaps, and the dentist bonds them in place. In between are the proper number of replacement pontics necessary to fill the space.
A traditional bridge only works well if healthy natural teeth are on each side of the gap. If either tooth is diseased, it won’t be strong enough to hold the bridge.
2. Cantilever
A cantilever dental bridge is similar to a traditional one with one key difference. There is only one dental crown. This alternative is used when only one of the natural teeth on either side of the gap is healthy enough to support the bridge.
3. Maryland
A Maryland dental bridge has no crowns. Instead, the dentist bonds metal wings to the back of the natural teeth on each side of the gap. This bridge design is most often used to replace missing front teeth.
4. Implant-Supported
This type of bridge uses dental implants rather than natural teeth to secure the prosthetic device in place. A dental implant is a post fused into the jawbone. The implants act as the abutment for the dental bridge. Although this type of dental bridge requires the placement of implants, which can take months to secure to the jaw, they can hold more prosthetic teeth.
Get a Dental Bridge Consultation at Arcadia Dental Arts
Make an appointment at Arcadia Dental Arts today to find out which type of dental bridge is right for you. Our team is committed to taking patient-centered care to the next level. We strive to create an environment where each of our patients is comfortable enough to ask questions and openly discuss every aspect of their dental health and needs. Call our office in Phoenix, AZ, at 602-957-9643 to schedule an appointment.
