Types of Dental Bridges

Four main types of dental bridges are commonly used to replace missing or extracted teeth. They differ in the way they’re anchored inside your mouth and where they’re placed. These include:

1. Traditional Bridge

A traditional bridge is typically used to replace back teeth, or molars. It requires healthy teeth on either side of the bridge to support it. To apply a traditional bridge, your dentist will remove enamel from the two supporting teeth to allow for crowns. These crowns are prosthetic teeth, hollow in the middle, that fit over the supporting teeth and are bonded in place. Your bridge is attached between the two crowns. Using this procedure, your dental professional can replace one or more missing teeth in a natural-looking way. No one will know you’re wearing a bridge unless you tell them, and your ability to chew food and speak clearly will be restored.

2. Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge operates in much the same way, but it’s used when only one healthy tooth is available to act as an anchor. The abutment tooth is prepared in the same way, and the crown fitted and bonded into place. Once complete, a cantilever bridge is held in place by a single anchor, meaning it may not last quite as long as a traditional bridge.

3. Maryland Bridge

Your dentist in Cincinnati may use a Maryland bridge to replace teeth that are missing in front. A Maryland bridge uses porcelain or metal bands on either side of a prosthetic tooth. These bands are then bonded to the backs of the two adjacent teeth. Once in place, a Maryland bridge looks like a natural front tooth. In fact, it can be dyed to perfectly match the shade of surrounding teeth.

4. Implanted-Supported Bridge

Implant-supported bridges are among the more durable options for dental bridges. They’re anchored in place by dental implants — titanium posts that have been inserted and allowed to bond with the jawbone. Generally, one implant is required to anchor each prosthetic tooth. This type of bridge may be used in areas of your mouth that receive high levels of pressure or grinding. Multiple visits to your dentist are required to complete a dental implant procedure.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

The benefits of dental bridges can’t be emphasized enough. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and missing teeth or large gaps don’t make the best first impression. Even if your lost or extracted teeth are hidden from view in the back of your mouth, they may still cause other teeth to shift and spread out, causing unsightly spaces that make brushing and flossing more difficult. Missing teeth are also leading causes of bone loss, a serious condition that affects how you look and how you chew, bite, and speak over time.

Bridge (Impression)

Advantages of dental bridges include:

• Boost in appearance and self-esteem
• Smile restoration
• Prevention of bone loss
• Renewed ability to bite and chew foods properly
• Elimination of speech impediment
• Improved facial structure

If your smile needs help, or if you have one or more missing or extracted teeth, talk with your Cincinnati dentist about the benefits of dental bridges and whether they’re a good fit for you.

Dental Bridge Care and Maintenance

While the prosthetic teeth that make up your dental bridge are impervious to cavities, they can become stained or unsightly when not cleaned regularly. The foundation beneath your bridge is also a concern. To keep gums and surrounding teeth strong and healthy, a regular dental maintenance routine is vital. For these reasons, you must brush and floss your natural teeth and gums daily. Additionally, you should take out all parts of your dental bridge that are removable, clean them with bridge-approved cleaner, and brush the areas beneath and surrounding them several times daily. Avoid sleeping in your dental bridge, as well.

Aside from good maintenance, some foods should also be avoided. Hard, sticky candies, for instance, may cause damage to your bridge or may make it difficult to clean. Other foods you may wish to avoid or limit include:

• Gum
• Caramel
• Wine
• Tea
• Coffee

Beverages that don’t pose a break hazard may still stain or discolor your bridge prematurely.

Call Kemper Meadow Family Dentistry in Cincinnati

In the Cincinnati area, Kemper Meadow Family Dentistry is your go-to choice for dental bridges. If you’re interested in learning more about smile restoration and cosmetic dentistry in Cincinnati, call us today.