Dental bridges are used to replace single or several missing teeth and have both cosmetic and practical advantages. Missing teeth not only negatively affect the quality of your smile and the overall shape of your face, but they also make it more difficult to chew your food properly. Missing teeth can also cause surrounding teeth to loosen, eventually resulting in even more tooth loss. Here’s what you need to know about dental bridges.
Different Types of Bridges:
Several types of dental bridges are available to suit varying needs of individual patients. Your dentist will help decide which type is best for your particular situation. The most commonly recommended types of dental bridges include fixed bridges and implant-supported bridges. Fixed bridges are the recommended option when the patient has healthy natural teeth on both sides of the gap caused by a missing tooth or teeth. These bridges are held in place by crowns. Implant-supported bridges are used when a significant gap exists between the teeth, and as the name implies, they’re supported by implants.
Other options are Maryland bridges and cantilever bridges. Maryland bridges are held in place by a frame made of porcelain or metal while cantilever bridges are secured only one side and are used in cases where there is only one natural tooth surrounding the gap.
What to Expect:
The length of the procedure will depend on the type of dental bridge involved, but it’s generally a relatively pain-free and quick experience, although it usually does require more than one visit to your dentist’s office. During the first visit, your dentist prepares the abutment teeth, takes impressions to send to the laboratory where the bridge and the permanent crowns will be custom-made, and installs temporary crowns. During the second visit, the permanent crowns will be put into place, and a third follow-up visit is often required to ensure that everything is going well.
If you’d like more information on dental bridges in Arvada, CO, please contact our office at your convenience.
