A dental bridge is a treatment option that can fill the gaps left by missing teeth. A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth called pontics that are held in place by dental crowns. The dental crowns are anchored to your existing healthy teeth on either side of the gap. At Healing Wings Dental, dental bridges can correct bite and speech problems caused by missing teeth.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
Your dentist will gently file down the adjacent teeth to make room for the dental bridge. A mold of your teeth will be taken and sent to a dental lab where your dental bridge will be custom-made. You will return to the office once it is ready for it to be inserted. The dental bridge is held in place by crowns seated on the adjacent teeth.
The Benefits of a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that can replace one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge can help restore your smile and prevent your other teeth from shifting out of place. It also prevents your teeth from changing position, which can lead to problems with your bite and TMJ.
The Types of Dental Bridges
Traditional Bridge
For a traditional bridge, your dentist will prepare the teeth on each side of the gap. Then, your dentist will anchor the pontics, or false teeth, to dental crowns, which are placed on your natural teeth on each side of the bridge. Traditional bridges are bonded to the natural teeth with dental cement.
Cantilever Bridge
Cantilever bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. These bridges are anchored to healthy teeth on either side of the gap. This design doesn’t affect the surrounding teeth, which is ideal when the patient has healthy natural teeth on both sides of the gap.
Maryland Bridge
A Maryland bridge is a type of fixed dental bridge. The Maryland bridge has two dental crowns, one on each end, and a false tooth in between them. It is typically made of porcelain fused with metal.
Dental Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported dental bridge is made of a series of dental crowns fused. One or more dental implants are used to support the bridge. These dental implants are placed into the jawbone and act as the foundation for the bridge. Once they’re healed, the implants are capped with a dental crown. The crowns are fused to form one solid piece. The entire dental bridge is permanently fused to the implant or implants.
Get in touch with Healing Wings Dental at 4101 West Green Oaks Blvd Suite 317, Arlington 76016 or call (972) 213-0202 to learn more about the benefits of dental bridges.
