Which Type of Dental Bridge Is the Best Fit for You?
Gaps left by missing teeth are comfortably closed by dentists providing dental bridges. Dental bridges consist of an artificial tooth called Pontic held in place by abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. Different types of materials, such as gold, help make pontics. However, they are typically made from porcelain to blend aesthetically with your natural teeth.
When you lose a tooth in any part of your mouth and decide to replace it with a dental bridge, you might find it challenging to determine which dental bridge best suits your needs. Dental bridges are available in four different varieties. Choosing one optimal for your needs requires help from dental bridges in East York, Toronto, ON, where experienced professionals will guide you on your choices to close the gap in your mouth.
Different Types of Dental Bridges
The different varieties of dental bridges include traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported. Let us explain the differences between the types to help you make an informed decision.
Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth or teeth held in place by dental crowns bonded onto each of the abutment teeth. Traditional dental bridges are the most popular and are helpful when you have two natural teeth on both sides of the gap left by your missing tooth.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
Cantilever dental bridges are similar to traditional pieces, but the Pontic in this variety is held in place by one dental crown cemented to one abutment teeth. Therefore, you can have a cantilever bridge if you have merely one natural tooth beside the missing tooth gap.
Maryland Dental Bridge
Similar to traditional bridges Maryland dental bridges use two natural abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. However, Maryland dental bridges do not need dental crowns to function as abutment teeth. Instead, they use a framework of metal or porcelain bonded to the back of the existing teeth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
As the name indicates, implant-supported dental bridges utilize dental implants instead of crowns or frameworks. You require one dental implant for every missing tooth, and the implant holds the bridge in position. If you cannot have one implant for every tooth, the bridge can have a Pontic suspended between two implant-supported crowns.
Implant-supported dental bridges, considered the most stable require two surgeries. The first is to embed the implant into your jawbone, and the second is to place the bridge.
Which Dental Implant Suits Your Situation the Best?
If you have a missing tooth in the aesthetic zone, the dentist in East York, Toronto, ON recommends a Maryland dental bridge that doesn’t require intensive preparation of the abutment teeth and is an appropriate replacement for front teeth. Maryland bridges, alternatively called resin-bonded bridges, are made from porcelain fused to metal with wings on each side of the bridge to bond to your existing teeth.
Traditional bridges are suitable for any part of your mouth so long as you have two natural teeth beside the missing tooth gap. You can have conventional bridges created from metals, porcelain fused to metal, or ceramics.
You can also consider implant-supported dental bridges to replace the missing tooth if you are in good oral and physical health and are prepared to undergo multiple surgeries with plenty of healing time in between for the implants to stabilize in your mouth.
Instead of deciding by yourself, the better option is to discuss your needs with the professionals at the East York practice to have the most appropriate solution for replacing your missing teeth with dental bridges.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
If you decide to get traditional dental bridges, you typically need two appointments with the practice. During your first appointment, the dental bridge provider reshapes your abutment teeth by removing part of the enamel and dentin to make space for the dental crown. The provider also impressions your teeth or takes a digital scan for the dental laboratory to create your artificial teeth and the crowns. You receive temporary bridges to protect the prepared teeth until the dental lab returns your artificial teeth.
You can have the traditional bridge placed in your mouth during your second appointment. The process starts with the provider removing the temporary bridge and placing the permanent bridge to check whether adjustments are needed to ensure it fits you comfortably. If everything is acceptable, the abutment teeth and the dental bridge are cemented using special dental cement.
Dental bridges are durable solutions lasting for five to ten years. However, if you maintain excellent dental hygiene and get regular cleanings, you can extend the lifespan of the bridge for over a decade.
If you need replacement teeth and wonder which option suits your needs the best, the dentist in East York, Toronto, ON at Danforth Village Dental Care provides dental bridges with appropriate advice on the most appropriate solution suited for your needs. Kindly contact the practice before you decide to receive optimal replacements for your missing teeth.