Bridges 101
By: Stephen Price DDS | Friday, December 6th, 2019 | Dental Bridges
Friday, December 6th, 2019
A large gap in the smile is not good for your look. Did you know that a large gap in between any teeth, even those at the back of the mouth, could also degrade your smile? The mouth is not built for gaps. Teeth are made to butt-up to one another to achieve optimal physical appearance, chewing function, and speech. A smile with gaps is a smile that needs help. Here, we discuss how bridging the gap works.
What is Dental Bridge Treatment?
Dental bridges literally do bridge the gap between two teeth. There are three common bridges that dentists use to achieve this. They include:
- A traditional fixed bridge. Traditional bridges are used when a gap exists between two teeth. This type of bridge anchors to the neighboring teeth using dental crowns. The artificial tooth is suspended on the gums by these crowns.
- The cantilever bridge. This type of bridge is sometimes used when there is only one neighboring tooth next to a gap. The cantilever bridge has one crown, which anchors to that neighboring tooth. The false tooth is bonded to the crown to hold it in place.
- The Maryland bridge. This type of crown is not used as frequently today as it used to be due to advances in dental technology. The Maryland bridge does not use dental crowns to secure an artificial tooth, it uses metal wings that wrap discretely around neighboring teeth.
Bridges, Dentures, and Implants: What’s the Difference?
With so many dental techniques available today, it can be challenging to know which is right for you. At the same time, it is important to differentiate between various treatments to ensure you get the long-term results you deserve.
Dental bridges and dental implants are “fixed” types of restorations. they are intended to stay in place for many years. Dentures, on the other hand, are removable. The artificial teeth of a denture are not bonded or attached to other teeth in any way. Dental implants are root replacements, not tooth replacements. Situated in the jawbone in a minor surgical procedure, dental implants are intended as a new foundation for artificial teeth, such as crowns and bridges and, yes, dentures.
A dental bridge are an affordable option that provides good stability for chewing and speaking. This restoration can last 10 to 15 years with good care but may eventually need to be replaced due to wear and tear.
Is your smile in need of restoration? We can help. Contact our Burke office at (703)-935-2879 to schedule a visit with Dr. Price.
