If you're missing teeth, we at Sparkle Dental can help you bridge the space (or spaces) with the use of dental bridges. Dental bridges are formed by securing a pontic or false tooth to the teeth on the sides of the gap that's being closed.
Why You Might Need A Dental Bridge
The gaps between your teeth can affect you in various ways. By getting a dental bridge, you'll be able to address the effects and put a stop to them. Dental bridges can help you restore your smile and also help you regain the ability to chew properly. If the missing teeth are affecting your speech or your pronunciation, this can also be corrected with a bridge.
Bridges can also help with more complex situations, such as helping maintain your face shape and even helping re-adjusting your bite, so the force is equally distributed when you chew. They can also help keep your other teeth from moving out of position.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are four main dental bridge types ranging from traditional to implant-supported bridges. The traditional ones are the most popular and are pretty simple. They consist of a pontic or false tooth that's supported by crowns placed on the abutment teeth surrounding the gap being filled with the bridge. The only detail is that it can be used only when you still have your natural teeth around the space left behind by your missing tooth.
The second type is the cantilever bridge. It's very similar to traditional bridges with only one notable difference: they're only supported by an abutment on one tooth instead of two. So for these, you don't need to have two teeth surrounding the gap left behind, one is enough.
Then we have the third type, which is the Maryland dental bridge. It's very similar to a traditional bridge since these also use two natural teeth on each side of the gap. The only difference is that these bridges are supported by a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the teeth, instead of cemented crowns.
Implant-supported dental bridges are the last type of bridges. As their name indicates, these use dental implants for support, instead of frameworks or crowns. Most of the time, an implant is used for each missing tooth, and they keep the bridge in its position. If it isn't possible, implants might be spaced out with pontics between the crowns supported on the implants.
This is the most stable bridge system out there, but it requires two surgeries. The first will be to place the implants in the jawbone, and then the second one is to place the bridge. That's why this procedure can last longer since it might take months in between surgeries.
It's important to note the difference between dental implants vs dental bridges. Dental bridges might have to be replaced between five to fifteen years after getting them, while implants are more of a permanent solution.
Dental Bridge from Sparkle Dental Boston
For more information about dental crowns or to schedule a consultation, call the experienced professionals here at Sparkle Dental at (617) 430-6404 today!