Types of Dental Bridges in Dentistry

Thanks to technology and innovation, modern dentistry provides a variety of oral appliances for dental care treatments and procedures. Not only that but for each dental appliance, versatility is achieved, with different options for patients to select for their treatment. This is the case with dental bridges.

Instead of relying on one type of dental bridge, you have options to choose from for your restorative dental procedure, depending on your needs and personal preferences.

What Are Dental Bridges?

They are dental appliances used in restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth. Dental bridges are made of an artificial replacement tooth and supporting features to hold the artificial tooth in place. The artificial tooth is often referred to as an abutment or a pontic.

The unique thing about dental bridges is that they are used to replace few missing teeth. They are not suited for multiple dental replacements as is the case with dentures. In fact, for you to get oral bridges, our Huntington dentist near you must ascertain that you are not missing more than two teeth in a row. The reason is that dental bridges rely on the support of the adjacent teeth to work effectively.

Common Types of Dental Bridges

Even though the types of dental bridges are not very much different from each other, they provide the needed versatility. The types of dental bridges include the following:

Traditional Bridges

They are the most common types of bridges installed by dentists. They feature an abutment and two dental crowns. The replacement tooth is sandwiched between two dental crowns for ample support. They, therefore, make the strongest type of dental bridge, suitable for the replacement of the back teeth. For them to work, however, you need to have your adjacent teeth intact on both sides of the missing tooth, where the dental crowns are placed.

Cantilever Bridges

They are a little different from traditional dental bridges. They feature a replacement tooth and one dental crown. This means that you do not need two adjacent teeth to support the bridge. While they are still sturdy and effective, they are not as strong as traditional bridges.

Maryland Bonded Bridges

They are also known as resin-bonded bridges, these bridges are very different from other types. They do not use dental crowns for support. Instead, these bridges rely on a metal framework and porcelain to support teeth. A pontic is placed in the location of the lost tooth, with porcelain wings on both sides. The wings are fixed on the adjacent teeth. This method, like with traditional bridges, requires that you have two adjacent teeth to support the bridge.

However, it is a more conservative technique compared to traditional bridges, as our dentist in Huntington NY, would not have to trim and reshape the adjacent healthy teeth to install the oral bridge. They are mostly used for replacing the front teeth, since they may not be strong enough for back teeth replacement.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

These are dental bridges that rely on dental implants for support. Ideally, before a dental bridge is placed in your mouth, a dental implant procedure is performed. Ideally, an implant is placed in your jawbone for every missing tooth. In some cases, patients have many missing teeth, which would make it illogical to place an implant for each lost tooth.

In that case, a pontic will be used in some of the areas where an implant was not installed. When implants are used to support a dental bridge, it provides the sturdiest type of dental bridge. Besides, the results are more permanent and long-lasting. However, the procedure may take several weeks or months before the treatment is complete since a surgical process is necessary.

Which Type Is the Best?

When it comes to choosing the best type of bridge for your treatment, it boils down to the underlying needs you have, and your preferences. When you have several missing teeth, for instance, implant-supported bridges would be best for you. Consider the following aspects:

• The number of teeth you need to replace
• The location of the lost teeth – will dictate the level of sturdiness you need for the replacement procedure.

Conclusion

The type of procedure you are willing to withstand – some procedures are more invasive than others. We also welcome patients from nearby communities like Huntington, Jackson Ave, Orchard PL, Platt pl, and Irwin place. Call or book your appointment with us today!