Dental Bridges and Oral Health

Regular use can deteriorate the condition of teeth. Apart from chewing the food, teeth also play a pivotal role in speaking distinctly. Poor oral hygiene or dental trauma might lead to loss of teeth. A dental gap might dent your confidence. Restorative dentistry and dental bridges can be an option to fill the dental gaps and restore the original functionality of teeth.

What are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are an option to substitute for lost teeth. Restorative dentistry has advanced dramatically over the years, and patients are benefitted greatly from tooth bridges. Dentists can be the best person to determine the appropriate dental bride for you.

Dental bridges can be placed when you have adjacent teeth on either side of the dental gap. Dental bridges comprise two crowns placed on the implants or abutment on either side of the dental gaps. A pontic joins the two crowns and fills up the dental gap. Depending on the choice and need, a crown can be made from gold, silver, porcelain, or ceramic-fused materials.

Dental bridges are an alternative to partial dentures and are permanent dental appliances. Fixed bridges serve both aesthetic and practical purposes of the teeth and enable you to speak distinctly and chew the food. Often, a lost tooth or two might make the jaws sullen, and bridges help maintain the jaws’ shape.

Dental bridges made from porcelain are more widely used due to their aesthetic value. Porcelain bridges match the color of the natural teeth and are difficult to detect separately.

Types of Dental Bridges

Pontic is the artificial teeth used in dental bridges. The pontic is custom-made as per the shape and size of the lost tooth. The pontic is anchored to the abutment and is a permanent solution to dental gaps. Based on their structure, there are four types of dental bridges.

Traditional Fixed Dental Bridge

Traditional bridge, also known as a fixed bridge, constitutes one to three artificial teeth or pontic and two dental crowns. Based on the placement location, the dental crown might be located on either side or both sides of the pontic.

Maryland Dental Bridge

Also known as a resin-bonded bridge, the Maryland dental bridges are a permanent dental restoration used to replace front teeth. Instead of dental crowns, Maryland dental bridges use metal or porcelain frameworks with wing-like structures attached to the back of the teeth on either side. These serve as a good option as the dental gaps are effectively concealed without disturbing the aesthetic value.

Implant-supported Dental Bridge

Implant-supported bridges are similar to traditional bridges but use implant-supported brides instead of dental crowns. The implant-supported bridges are embedded in the jaws through small titanium posts.

Cantilever Dental Bridges

Almost obsolete now, but cantilever dental bridges have their own advantage. These dental bridges find application when only one side of the dental gap has a permanent tooth. The pontic is held in place by a single crown.

Advantages of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges have several benefits, including:

• Restores the natural look even when teeth are lost.
• Missing teeth can impede proper pronunciation, and dental bridges can restore everyday and distinct speech.
• Missing teeth can cause jaws to be sullen. Dental crowns restore the standard shape of the oral cavity and prevent the loss of jawbones.
• Chewing food without teeth is complex, and dental bridges restore the normal chewing of food.
• Dental gaps can let adjacent teeth shift position and cause open bite, crossbite, and other complications. Dental bridges prevent such dental issues.
• Dental bridges conceal dental gaps and boost confidence, and facilitates flawless smiles.

Are Dental Bridges Good?

The dental bridge procedure is non-invasive and can be completed in a couple of visits to the dental office. You do not need additional care for dental bridges apart from regular brushing and flossing. Dental bridges restore the normal functionality of teeth and can last up to 15 years. Dental bridges are cheaper than dental implants, and most insurance firms cover the cost.

New Tampa Smiles provide a dental bridge in Tampa, FL. You may book an appointment to get dental bridges from our experienced dentists. We pride ourselves in providing a comprehensive dental service, including root canal treatment, teeth whitening, dental crowns, dental implants, and dental sealants.