Your dentist may suggest a dental bridge to replace any missing teeth in your mouth, even back teeth. A bridge is a fixed dental prosthesis that fills, or “bridges,” a gap that is made by missing teeth.
The teeth on either side of the gap are called the abutment teeth, or anchoring teeth. These teeth will hold the false tooth, called the pontic, in place – creating a bridge across the gap.
The dentist will attach the pontic to the existing teeth, even if they are crowns. The pontic is literally a placeholder that remains in place to provide you a full set of teeth. They are not removable except by a dentist.
Reasons for Getting a Dental Bridge
If you have missing teeth, the dentist may recommend a dental bridge for several reasons:
Preventing Other Teeth from Shifting
A dental bridge will help prevent your existing teeth from shifting toward the open gap. Gaps in the teeth remove natural stability, allowing the remaining teeth to reposition and cause problems.
Functionality
Large gaps in your teeth will negatively affect how you chew and can even affect your speech. The gaps may cause you to have difficulty forming sounds and pronouncing words that weren’t a problem before – you may even develop a lisp or other impediment.
The good news is that functionality returns with the insertion of a dental bridge.
Cosmetic Purposes
A dental bridge will restore the look of your smile while also retaining the natural shape of your face. After all, missing teeth can cause the face to take on a different appearance – perhaps with sunken areas.
Types of Bridges Your Dentist Might Recommend
There are several main types of bridges that are commonly suggested by dentists: Maryland, cantilever, and traditional. The type your dentist suggests for you depends on the number of missing teeth and the position in which they’re missing.
Maryland Bridge
This type of bridge is named for its developers at the University of Maryland. The bridge is constructed of usually one or more artificial teeth, and it has two wings that are manufactured of a tooth-colored composite resin. The wings attach to the adjacent teeth.
Cantilever Bridge
This type of bridge is a good option for when there is a tooth on only one side of the gap. The dentist prepares the abutment tooth on the one side of the gap, and the pontic is then secured to that tooth.
The dentist will take chewing pressure into consideration, as the pressure placed on the bridge can affect the adjacent teeth.
Traditional Bridge
These are made of one or more false teeth that are secured in place by crowns, and they are cemented to the abutment teeth. If you have missing teeth, but you have natural teeth on each side of the gap, then your dentist will likely replace the teeth with a traditional bridge.
Dentist in Henderson, Nevada
Dedicated Dental will help you achieve your best smile with healthy teeth and gums. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment by calling (702) 566-5509, or fill out our appointment request form. We’re here to provide you with a lifetime of optimal oral health – and a dazzling smile.
