Dental bridges are a valuable dental appliance which can be relied upon to either take the place of just a single tooth or an entire group of teeth. They are made of porcelain to offer a more natural appearance, so they blend in more with existing teeth. They are secured in place by clips to the teeth on either side of the empty space in the oral cavity. Any patient who is missing a tooth or multiple teeth can benefit from a dental bridge.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Bridges?
While some might know what a bridge is, they likely fail to realize there is more than one kind of dental bridge. Would you believe that there are in fact four different types of bridges available? Knowing which one would best meet your needs will require an evaluation and assessment.
The traditional bridge is the first and most common type. Artificial teeth are held in place by an abutment. This abutment is secured to the remaining teeth on either side of the vacated space. Traditional bridges are only recommended when the patient has healthy teeth on either side of the empty socket.
A cantilever bridge is the second type. It is identical to the traditional bridge, except for the fact that it only requires a single tooth. This is helpful for those patients who have limited healthy teeth.
A Maryland bridge also uses two natural teeth on either side of the space but instead of being held in place by dental crowns, it uses a framework made of metal to connect to the abutment teeth. This type is not used as frequently as the first two described.
The last type of bridge is also the most stable. It is called an implant-supported bridge. It uses dental implants to secure the bridge in place rather than teeth. This particular type of bridge requires two different appointments to place.
Why Should I Get a Dental Bridge?
While there can be many reasons to get a bridge, the main concern is to fill the empty space left by the missing tooth. This helps to not only maintain the patient’s appearance by restoring the lost support behind the teeth and gums, but it also maintains the opposing pressure created when patients bite down to keep the jaw bones healthy.
How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?
As with anything, the bridges that last the longest are the ones that patients take the best care of. They typically last anywhere from five to fifteen years. It largely depends on the patient and their dedication to their oral hygiene. Patients interested in finding the right bridge solution for their teeth can contact us at 206-791-2020.
Dental Bridge • Dentist in Seattle, WA • Alki Dental At Alki Dental, any patient who is missing a tooth or multiple teeth can benefit from a dental bridge. Click here to learn more about them today! Alki Dental, 1331 Harbor SW, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98116 \ 206-791-2020 \ alkifamilydental.com \ 9/27/2022 \ Key Phrases: dentist Seattle WA \
Dental bridges are a valuable dental appliance which can be relied upon to either take the place of just a single tooth or an entire group of teeth. They are made of porcelain to offer a more natural appearance, so they blend in more with existing teeth. They are secured in place by clips to the teeth on either side of the empty space in the oral cavity. Any patient who is missing a tooth or multiple teeth can benefit from a dental bridge.