Restoring Your Natural Smile With Dental Bridges
If you lost some teeth because of an accident or perhaps due to decay, you are definitely not alone. The average adult in the United States has three or more missing teeth, according to the American Dental Association.
Dental bridges are one of the most popular options for replacing missing teeth because they can be customized just for you and can be a quicker, easier solution if you are missing just a few teeth.
To determine what kind of dental bridge is best for you, there are actually four different types to consider.
Traditional Dental Bridges
If you have a gap and there is a tooth on each side of that gap, a traditional dental bridge may be the best solution for you. A false tooth is held in place by dental crowns that go over the teeth on each side of the gap.
We will have to remove a significant amount of enamel from your neighboring teeth in order to place a traditional dental bridge. However, these types of dental bridges are durable and can last a very long time when properly cared for. These bridges are ideal for replacing back teeth, such as premolars and molars.
Cantilever Dental Bridges
These types of dental bridges are very similar to traditional dental bridges, however, the fake tooth is held in place by a crown attached to only one nearby tooth. The obvious advantage is that you only need one natural tooth to get this kind of dental bridge. These kind of bridges aren’t strong enough for back teeth, but are great for front teeth.
Maryland Dental Bridges
This type of dental bridge has the same concept of a traditional dental bridge. But instead of using crowns to attach to two neighboring teeth in order to fill the gap, they use something called “wings” to attach to the nearby teeth.
The “wings” bond to your natural teeth, holding the fake tooth in place. Maryland bridges are less invasive than the traditional dental bridges because they attach to the backside of your natural teeth and don’t require any enamel removal. These can be great options if you need to restore any front teeth.
Implant-Supported Bridges
This kind of bridge is supported by an implant, meaning instead of the fake tooth being supported by your nearby teeth, it is supported by an implant in your gums. For every missing tooth, we would place an implant or a post in your gums.
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This typically requires at least two appointments, one to place the implant and another to place the bridge
Are Dental Bridges the Right Choice For Me?
All types of dental bridges take at least two appointments to place, so in order to determine which dental bridge would be best for you, it’s important to schedule a consultation with one of our experts at Eagle Valley Family Dentistry.
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Please schedule an appointment at our Bellefonte, PA office so we can assess your situation and get you one step closer to regaining your confidence. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at (814) 473-5554 or use the form below.