What Are the Different Types of Dental Bridges

A dental bridge can fill your dental gap and restore your smile. Research shows that tooth loss is a common problem among adults. The dentist will discuss the different types of bridges with you on consultation day. Here are the different dental bridge types you should consider.

Maryland bonded bridge

There are no dental crowns necessary for this type of dental bridge. Instead, a metal framework supports itself. The dentist will stick or wrap a metal framework around the natural teeth. This treatment is ideal for people who do not want any changes to their teeth.

Traditional dental bridge

This type of bridge is the most common one. It has abutment teeth on both sides of the dental gap. The dentist will cement dental crowns over them to support the pontics. Healthy teeth can make this restoration effective. A traditional dental bridge may be invasive because of the significant removal of dental structures. This is necessary so that the dental crowns can fit over the abutment teeth.

Implant-supported bridge

Dental implants on both sides of the dental gap will support the dental bridge. This type of treatment can take much longer. The titanium rods need to fuse with the jawbone and dental implants first before the dentist installs the abutment and dental crown. The patient must have enough bone mass to support the titanium rods. A full dental assessment will determine if the patient is a good candidate for this type of dental bridge.

Cantilever bridge

This type of dental bridge uses one natural tooth to support the artificial tooth. These are more affordable and easier to install than the other types of bridges. One dental crown is all it needs for support. However, the single-tooth crown means that this dental bridge has weak support. This restoration is ideal for replacing front teeth.

Parts of a dental bridge

The dentist can replace at least one tooth with a dental bridge. Matching the color of the artificial teeth will help them blend with the neighboring natural teeth. Specific parts of a dental bridge contribute to its efficiency. Here are its basic parts:

• Pontics are the artificial teeth that fill the gap that was left by missing teeth.
• Abutments are supportive structures for the dental bridge. These are tiny connecting parts of implant-supported bridges.

The materials

A dental bridge is a synthetic tooth that relies on the surrounding teeth for support. This restoration is composed of a combination of ceramics, metals, and porcelain. The ceramic and porcelain are attached to the metal components. This design makes the bridge look visually pleasing. Research shows that most patients prefer this combination because it makes the dental bridge look more natural. The materials also make the bridge functional and stable, as well as secure and strong.