When one or more teeth are extracted, the patient has several restorative options, including dental bridges. Dental bridges use crowns that are placed over two neighbouring teeth to support a synthetic tooth between them. Bridges provide many benefits to a patient’s health and can be used when several teeth are missing in a row. My Dentist Friend offers dental bridges for those looking to restore their smile and improve their oral health.
book onlineWhy Should I Have Dental Bridges?
There are more drawbacks to having missing teeth than people may realize. Apart from the loss of confidence that a missing tooth can have, patients can also experience bone resorption if a tooth has been missing for long enough. This is when the jaw shrinks in the area where the tooth used to be as the body realizes there is no tooth that needs protecting. Bone resorption makes it more difficult for a restoration to be placed in a later appointment, and can lead to changes in the facial structure. Dental bridges provide structural support, as the pressure on the other teeth, when chewing and eating, is relieved by the dental bridge, meaning that the natural teeth will wear down more slowly over time. Dental bridges use crowns that are placed over the two adjacent teeth, making it a subtle oral restoration. The synthetic tooth and crowns are usually made from porcelain or resin, which means they’re indistinguishable from the rest of the natural teeth.
What Are the Different Types of Bridges?
The most common type of bridge is the traditional bridge, which involves the placing of a synthetic tooth between two natural teeth. The two natural teeth have to be filed down in order for crowns to fit over them. Usually, the three synthetic teeth are milled from a single block of porcelain or resin, so they are strong and immovable.
A Maryland bridge uses metal wires to hold a synthetic tooth between two natural teeth, which means no crowns have to be placed. This is similar in style to the traditional bridge, however, it is not ideal for tooth replacement at the back of the mouth, as the pressure that molars have to withstand could damage the dental bridge. Maryland bridges are still subtle, as the wires are placed on the back of the teeth. Cantilever bridges are the least common type, as they are used when there is only one natural tooth available to anchor the bridge. This makes them structurally weaker, and is only used when the other two methods cannot be used.
How long a dental bridge lasts varies depending on where the bridge is placed, and what method is used. Patients can expect a bridge to last between 5 and 15 years, although they can last longer. My Dentist Friend offers dental bridges for those wanting to restore their smile and improve the structure of their oral cavity. You can talk to one of our Dentists to decide which dental bridge would be best for you. Contact our office now at 856-484-4114 to book your consultation appointment.