Dental Bridges: A Teeth Replacement Method
What Is A Tooth Bridge?
When you get a bridge, you’re usually going to get a false tooth that has two crowns with it. The crowns act as a “bridge” for the false tooth, hence the name. The cost for these can vary depending on how many teeth you need to have replaced, what material you use (porcelain is usually picked), the state of your gums, and even where you live.
The bridge stays in place all the time. It does not have to be removed like dentures and the material can blend in with your natural teeth. Often times people don’t even know that someone has a bridge in their mouth. You can eat nearly everything you did before.
There Are Different Types Of Dental Bridges
Depending on your situation, the dentist may decide on one of the following bridges to best remedy things:
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Traditional Fixed Bridges
This is the most-used bridge – a false tooth is anchored on each side by a crown. The crown covers natural teeth that are next to the empty tooth socket. The dentist cements the crowns to the teeth and they stay in place for a long time.
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Cantilever Bridges
This time, there is only one crown on the side of a false tooth. The only requirement here is that there is a single natural tooth next to the empty space.
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Bonded Bridges
This is also called a Maryland bridge. The replacement tooth is fused to a metal or porcelain framework.
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Implant-Supported Bridges
This one uses dental implants in place of crowns. Expect this one to take the longest, since screws have to be inserted into the jawbone first. It’s considered the most stable out of all of them.
Health Benefits Of Dental Bridges
The main benefit of dental bridges is that they keep your teeth from shifting if you have an empty socket or two. Your jaw does not like that empty space and your teeth will move to try to correct that. That can then cause a host of problems, including trouble speaking clearly and chewing properly. Your jawbone will lose mass, which can then cause even more tooth loss. Also, your cheeks will take a sunken-in appearance since there is nothing there pushing back on them.
The bridge is there to restore functionality to your mouth in many ways. It can also increase your levels of confidence and make speaking and chewing easy again. You can expect to have the dental bridge last 15 years before needing to be replaced, but only if you take the best care of them and adhere to a good oral hygiene regimen.
When it comes to deciding whether dental bridges are right for you, there are some pros and cons to consider. On the plus side, you will pay less for these than dental implants. There’s no need to have bone grafting (unless you want the implant-supported ones and will need the necessary bone mass). Healthy teeth can anchor the bridge in place and that will have less chance for irritation. You won’t have to wait as long for a bridge as the other options – excluding the implant-supported one, of course.
On the other hand, the crowns are going to be on top of healthy teeth – usually they are used for implants or to cover a dead tooth after a root canal. The dentist may also have to remove some enamel and cap them. The Maryland bridge can also hurt existing teeth. If you’re at risk to lose bone mass, then the bridge won’t help. While the bridge is durable, it’s still not as strong or as long-lasting as a dental implant, which can stay in your mouth for 25 years.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if you want to get the bridge. Many people are satisfied with them and they are quite popular. Talk with your Hagerstown dentist and they will help guide you to the best choice to give you back your excellent smile.
Need A Dental Bridge Procedure Near Hagerstown?
Do you need a dental bridge procedure near Hagerstown? Hagerstown Dentist can help you there. You can call them at 301-200-9585 to make an appointment. They have an in-house dental lab which will drastically reduce your waiting time.
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Hagerstown Dentist
Hagerstown Location
1303 Pennsylvania Ave.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (301) 200-9585
