If you have missing teeth, your dentist may have recommended a dental bridge to you. There isn’t just one kind of dental bridge – there are several options available. The best choice for a dental bridge will vary, depending on your situation. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of dental bridges
What Is A Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that replaces missing teeth in your mouth. A bridge consists of several artificial teeth, anchored in place by dental crowns or dental implants. Dental bridges are highly specialized and customized pieces of dental work. Each one is custom-made for a patient’s specific needs. While each dental bridge is unique, they fall into four broad categories: traditional dental bridges, implant-supported dental bridges, cantilever dental bridges, and Maryland dental bridges.
Traditional Dental Bridges
Traditional dental bridges are the most common type of dental bridge. With this procedure, a dental bridge is created by a lab, and your dentist will anchor the bridge to your remaining teeth using dental crowns. A traditional dental bridge requires healthy teeth on each side of the gap created by your missing teeth. This is a good option if you are missing some teeth, but still have some healthy teeth in your mouth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
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In this procedure, a dental bridge is anchored to your jaw using dental implants instead of dental crowns. An implant-supported dental bridge is a good option if your teeth are not healthy enough to anchor to. Using dental implants as anchors is a more complex procedure and requires some healing time – about three to six months for the implants to fully fuse with the bones in your jaw. However, an implant-supported bridge is much stronger and long-lasting than other methods because it does not rely on your other teeth as an anchor.
Cantilever Dental Bridges
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A cantilever dental bridge is a modified version of a traditional dental bridge. In this instance, the bridge is only anchored on one side of the bridge. This only requires one healthy tooth for an anchor, but it also makes the bridge weaker compared to the two-anchor approach.
Maryland Dental Bridges
The Maryland dental bridge style doesn’t use crowns or implants for anchors. Instead, metal wings are affixed to either side of the bridge. These wings are adhered to the back of your teeth on either side of the bridge. This method of attaching the bridge is not as strong as a crown or dental implant anchor, so Maryland dental bridges are typically only used on front teeth.
Conclusion
We hope this summary of the types of dental bridges gives you some more information on the procedure. If you’re in need of a dental bridge, this might help you make an informed decision. Always rely on your dentist’s advice when choosing a type of dental bridge!