Having a full mouth of healthy teeth benefits your self-esteem and overall health. Besides uplifting your confidence, a set of healthy pearly whites can help prevent tooth decay and other certain diseases and help you get the proper nutrition.
Sadly, accidents and negligence can happen, making you lose a tooth or a few teeth. Nobody deserves to have missing teeth because they can negatively affect your self-image, increase your risk of getting mouth diseases, and prevent you from chewing properly.
Fortunately, thanks to cosmetic dentistry advances like dental bridges, people can restore their smiles and enjoy food better. This article will discuss the three types of dental bridges and how your dentist will use them.
1. Cantilever Bridges
Your dentist can use a cantilever bridge when the gap is only on one side. It’s a healthy tooth with a crown, and the suspended artificial tooth supports it from only one side. You can use this bridge where there are no teeth on either side of the missing teeth.
Moreover, your dentist can use this cosmetic dentistry procedure because it’s not ideal for preparing teeth on both sides of the missing teeth for a crown, like for a missing front tooth.
Additionally, you can use a cantilever bridge when you have a missing back tooth. Furthermore, your dentist must place additional forces on the abutment teeth, which they should do carefully to ensure the stability of the bridge and abutment teeth.
2. Maryland-Bonded Bridges
Your dentist will use a Maryland-bonded bridge to replace one or more missing front teeth. Instead of reshaping and placing crowns on the adjacent teeth, your dental healthcare provider will attach the pontic (the false tooth replacing the missing tooth) to metal wings that fit behind the abutment teeth, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.
Unlike the traditional fixed bridge, this cosmetic dentistry procedure doesn’t require reshaping the abutment teeth.
3. Traditional Fixed Bridges
A traditional fixed bridge is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that your dentist can use to fill a gap in your mouth. It consists of an artificial tooth held in place by two crowns on both sides of the opening. To get the traditional fixed bridge, your dentist will reshape and crown the healthy teeth to support the new prosthetic tooth and fill the gap.
These professionals can create this bridge from porcelain fused to a metal or a ceramic base for a more natural look.
How to Use the Different Types of Dental Bridges
Different bridges are available for various situations, depending on the patient’s specific needs. Each option provides a certain level of functionality, with some better suited for some instances like others.
You can get the cantilever and Maryland-bonded bridges if your situation isn’t ideal for traditional fixed bridges. The cantilever bridge uses off-axis forces to support a pontic on one side. On the other hand, the Maryland bonded bridge doesn’t require reshaping the abutment teeth and instead attaches the false tooth to the back of the abutment teeth. Either way, they can provide solid and secure support for the gap.
What Dental Bridge Works Best for Your Needs?
Finding the proper cosmetic dentistry procedure for your needs can be tricky, especially with the available options.
You should determine what materials work best because they will determine the dental bridges’ durability. The higher the quality of the material, the more expensive it will be. You should also consider your budget. Moreover, it’s best to discuss with your dentist about your situation to help you make the best choice for your teeth.
Key Takeaways
Missing teeth can negatively affect your quality of life and self-esteem. You can restore your best smile by discussing with your dentist what cosmetic dentistry procedure works best for your situation.
If you need high-end cosmetic dentistry in Chelmsford, visit Chelmsford Dental Specialists Group! We are committed to helping patients improve and maintain their oral health with our professional services. Request an appointment now!
