Dental Bridges

Missing one or more teeth is common for many people.

The ADA reports that adult patients may have three missing or decayed teeth. Fortunately, several solutions to replace missing teeth, including dental bridges.

A bridge may be used to restore an area with one or more adjacent missing teeth. A bridge has two primary components. The bridge’s abutments (or supports) are created by placing a crown on either a natural tooth or an implant.

The synthetic tooth that replaces the missing tooth is called a pontic.

In the case of one missing tooth, the two teeth on either side will be prepped for crowns, and the missing tooth will be replaced with a synthetic tooth connected to the crowns on either side of the missing tooth. In the case of several adjacent missing teeth, one or more implants may provide the abutment.

There are four main types of dental bridges:

Traditional Dental Bridge

This is the most common type of dental bridge. The existing teeth are crowned with one or more pontics between and held in place by the crowned abutments. The crowns are cemented onto the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth to create a support structure or “bridge” for the missing teeth.

Cantilever Bridge

A type of bridge similar to traditional bridges, except the structure is supported only one side instead of both sides. This can cause the restoration to act as a “lever” and may create additional stress on the supporting tooth, causing it to be more likely to loosen or fracture.

Implant-Supported Bridge

Instead of using existing teeth to support a bridge, a dental implant may be substituted to provide support for one or both sides of a dental bridge. This is a popular option that can provide a very secure restoration. This solution is beneficial when there are several adjacent missing teeth.

Maryland Bridge

This type of bridge is supported by a metal structure cemented onto the back of existing teeth. While not as strong as a traditional bridge, it can preserve the tooth structure of the adjacent teeth by avoiding the use of crowns for the abutments. It may not stay in place when heavy forces are placed on the restoration (such as biting and chewing) and add pressure to the supporting teeth.

Contact our office to learn more about your restorative options and achieve the smile you have always wanted.