Dental Bridges as Alternative Treatment for Missing Teeth

Pontics or dental bridges are prosthetic teeth that consist of two or more crowns. They are held in place by teeth on each side of the gap. The teeth that support the bridge are known as abutments. Abutments can be your existing natural teeth or dental implants.

Dental bridges can be made from various materials such as gold, alloy, porcelain, or a combination of materials. Visit our dentist near you if you are looking for dental bridges in Terre Haute, IN.

Types of Dental Bridges

At Staley Family Dentistry Terre Haute, we have the following types of dental bridges near you:

1. Traditional Bridges

With these types of bridges, dental crowns cemented into the abutment support the artificial teeth. Traditional bridges are popular and are used when you have healthy natural teeth neighboring the tooth gaps. During the preparation of the procedure, a small amount of enamel will be removed. This is done to make room for the crowns to be cemented.

2. Maryland Bridges

In Maryland bridges, an abutment is used on every side of the tooth gap. The bridges use metal or porcelain to attach behind the abutments. There is reduced removal of teeth since the bridges are attached at the back of the front teeth. They are primarily used to restore canines due to their shifting adaptations.

3. Cantilever Bridges

In cantilever bridges, a dental crown cemented into a single abutment supports the pontic. Therefore, only one natural tooth is needed next to the tooth gap. Cantilever bridges are popular when restoring the front teeth. However, they are not strong enough to be used as molars.

4. Implant-Supported Bridges

The implants are surgically fixed on each missing tooth to hold the bridges in place. A pontic is suspended between two implants if they can’t be fixed on every missing tooth. The procedure for this type of bridge may require two surgeries.

During the first surgery, the implants are embedded into the jaw bone. The second surgery involves bridge placement. This may take a few months due to the healing period needed after the implant procedure.

The procedure of Getting Dental Bridges

The procedures are done under a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. They require two appointments, the first one being tooth preparation and placing of the temporary bridge. Next, the dentist will shape the abutment teeth by filing to accommodate the bridges. Dental impressions of shaped teeth are then made and sent into the laboratory. The prosthetics used are made to match your natural teeth’s shade.

In some cases, dental implants may be required to support the dental bridges. Our dentist Terre Haute, Indiana, will make a small surgical incision on your gum during the dental implant procedure. The dental implant is then fixed on the exposed jawbone. Next, a temporary bridge made of filling materials is fitted and used to protect the shaped teeth.

During the second appointment, the permanent dental bridges are fixed. During the procedure, the temporary bridges are removed, and the underlying teeth are cleaned and polished. The bridge is then placed on the abutment teeth using dental cement, and adjustments are made if needed.

Dental Bridges Pros and Cons

Dental bridges have both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the benefits that come with bridges include:

• They restore your dental structure and prevent bone loss

• Dental bridges restore your mouth functions such as chewing and proper pronunciation

• They don’t shift or move since they are permanently fixed. They also prevent the shifting of your remaining natural teeth.
• Dental bridges are lightweight and small, providing a comfortable chewing experience.
• It only requires a few appointments for restoration

Disadvantages

Despite all their benefits, dental bridges also have some cons. They are as follows.

• Dental bridges can easily collapse over time. This happens if the teeth supporting them weaken.

• If they are not correctly fitted, they can cause tooth decay under the crowns.

• Your natural teeth used to support the bridges have to be shaped. This is because the trimmed part of the enamel cannot grow back.

If you need dental bridges in Terre Haute, Indiana, visit our dental office today. You can also reach out by email or call us to set an appointment with our dentist.