A missing tooth or two can put you in a lot of distress. You would need to hide your teeth while smiling or talking to someone consciously. It is obvious to try and look presentable. Apart from helping to chew food and speaking distinctly, teeth also have aesthetic value. Dental gaps can hinder both personal and professional spheres, and nowadays, dental gaps can be corrected effectively.
What are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges bridge the dental gaps caused due to one or more lost teeth. Dental bridges can restore lost teeth’ look and functionality, including the front teeth. Dental bridges are made up of dental crowns placed on either side of the missing tooth and can be supported with a false tooth called pontic.
The teeth on either side of the dental gap are the anchoring teeth called an abutment. As the dentist guides, the false teeth or pontic can be made from gold, silver amalgam, or porcelain. Dental implants or natural teeth can also support dental bridges. AÂ dentist in San Antonio, TX, can be the best person to guide you on the type of dental bridges best suited for you.
Types of Dental Bridges
A dentist in 78209 can guide you on selecting the type of dental bridge apt for your oral cavity. Apart from filling dental gaps, a dental bridge can restore your smile, restore the lost ability to speak distinctly, maintain the structure of your face, and prevent further loss to the remaining teeth. The different types of dental bridges are:
Traditional Bridges
Traditional dental bridges are fixed in nature and consist of a filler tooth supported by crowns placed between the abutment or anchoring teeth. Traditional bridges are the most prevalent dental bridges and are made from porcelain or ceramics fused with metals.
Traditional bridges mostly find application when healthy teeth are on either side of the dental gap to support the bridge. Both of the anchoring teeth are reshaped to support the crowns and bridges. The abutment should be healthy enough to keep the bridge.
Cantilever Bridges
Cantilever bridges find application when either side of the abutment is missing, and the pontic would have only one side of the permanent teeth for supporting the bridge. Certain clinical conditions might lead to the loss of multiple teeth, leaving the dentist with only one tooth on one side of the dental gap.
Cantilever bridges are designed to act off-the-axis on the bridge’s abutment and support. Dentists take utmost care to place the pontic to reduce the risk of destabilizing the abutment. Unlike traditional bridges, cantilever bridges are not that strong and are not recommended for the back teeth as too much force can damage the cantilever bridges.
Maryland Bonded Bridge
Maryland bonded bridges are used to replace the front teeth and are also known as resin-bonded bridges. These bridges are made from metal frameworks with porcelain fused to metal teeth. The false teeth are fused to the adjacent permanent teeth with porcelain or metal frames on each side of the bridge.
The Maryland dental bridges are a more conservative approach than the traditional bridges as they do not require shaping the permanent anchoring teeth. Alternatively, the metal or porcelain wings can be placed behind the abutment.
How to Close the Gaps Between Teeth?
Dental veneers can conceal small dental gaps, but lost or missing teeth can be closed with dental bridges. Dental implants can be a more invasive procedure, but dental bridges provide a perfect option for concealing single or multiple lost teeth.
Dental bridges have multiple benefits and can cure bite problems and chewing difficulties. Visiting the dentist regularly is essential to take good care of your bridges. Terrell Hills Dental provides dental bridges in San Antonio, TX. Here we welcome a team of experienced dental professionals to provide clear braces, custom mouthguards, crowns, dental fillings, dental bridges, and endodontics.
Since we are a small business and not a high-volume office, this allows us to spend time with our patients, explain their dental needs, and answer all their questions. You may book an appointment and avail of our $49 special new patient dental examination. We also provide sedation dentistry.