Dental Bridges Overview
Dentists utilize dental bridges to bridge the gaps left after one or more teeth have been extracted or fallen out. A patient interested in receiving dental bridges must have good oral health and a healthy jaw with strong support, and an appointment for bridges typically requires two separate visits. Being fitted with bridges can require removing some tooth enamel, and some patients may not be eligible candidates.
Proper care for dental bridges
All bridges require fantastic oral hygiene and maintenance. According to a statement by The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, patients with bridges installed using abutments are more likely to suffer tooth decay and gum disease. After being fitted with bridges, it is crucial to regularly brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. It’s also imperative to use the toothpaste recommended by your dentist to prevent gingivitis, plaque build up and other gum disease.
Traditional bridges are made from false teeth typically secured with dental crowns. During the process, the crowns need to be anchored to healthy teeth. Our dentist needs to first prep the patient’s healthy teeth by permanently removing the tooth’s enamel. This means patients with bridges need to commit to the abutments even if they decide to change bridges at a later time.
Cantilever bridges
When a gap created by a missing tooth only has healthy teeth on one of its sides, an experienced dentist will probably recommend cantilever bridges. While most gaps are filled in with traditional bridges, the abutments for traditional bridges require teeth on each side of the gap and cantilever bridges were developed to do the job of traditional bridges in situations where traditional bridges may not work.
Maryland bridges
Maryland bridges are specifically created to replace missing front teeth. These bridges are bonded with resin and require the fusing of fake (or pontic) teeth with metal bands. The bands are then cemented to the abutments or crowns with a resin-based polymer. They tend to have a shorter longevity than traditional bridges but are cosmetically much more effective.