Beautiful Smile through Dental Crowns now by Dr. Leo Arellano in San Francisco, CA
When Do I Need A Bridge?
Bridges are recommended as a method to replace a missing tooth or teeth. When a tooth is lost, it changes the balance of forces that in turn causes the surrounding teeth to move. Not only does a missing tooth not look good, but the loss of support of your lips and cheeks can also affect your appearance.
What Are the Different Types of Bridges?
As its name implies, a conventional bridge connects two or more teeth together so that the space is filled with artificial teeth called pontics. There are different ways to connect these pontics to the adjacent teeth. The most common method is to connect the pontics between two crowns that are then securely cemented onto the adjacent teeth. This requires that the adjacent teeth be prepared or ground down to fit the type of connection used – in this case, for crowns. The best connection for your particular situation can be determined with the help of your dentist. Sometimes even connecting a pontic to only one tooth can be appropriate.
What Other Choices Do I Have to Replace a Missing Tooth or Teeth?
Fixed bridges are not meant to be removed since they are securely cemented into place. Removable bridges, more commonly known as removable partial dentures, are meant to come out. Finally, dental implants have quickly become the standard of care for replacing missing teeth since they do not require that the adjacent teeth be ground down.
What Are the Advantages of Bridges?
Until the advent of dental implants, bridges were considered the best way to replace missing teeth because they closely duplicated the feel and function of your natural teeth.
What Are the Disadvantages of Bridges?
The current trend in dentistry is to avoid connecting teeth together. Not only does this make it harder to keep your teeth clean, but if only one part of the bridge fails, then the whole bridge needs to be replaced.
Dental Bridges let you smile with confidence
A bridge is a nonsurgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With today’s dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Don’t let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that las ta lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge might be right for you.
