Taking care of oral health is just as important as taking care of physical health, and your teeth are the most important aspect to that. Your teeth play a very active role in your life, and when one is lost, it can negatively affect the way you eat. In addition, a missing tooth can affect your self-esteem and lower your confidence. Luckily, there are ways that you can combat the effects of a missing tooth, and one of these methods is known as a dental bridge.
A dental bridge is a type of dental restoration technique that consists of two major parts: a replacement tooth and a dental crown or crowns. The dental crowns are attached to the replacement tooth on both sides, in most cases, though there are dental crowns that only have one crown. During the installation of the crown, the replacement tooth sits over the area where the missing tooth is, and the dental crowns are placed onto the adjacent teeth. These teeth serve as the support for the bridge.
In some cases, a dental bridge can be extended and cover more than one missing teeth. They are strong enough to do this because they are made of materials such as gold, porcelain, or metal alloys. This means it can take a lot of pressure and can hold up to chewing. In some cases, these bridges are stronger than natural teeth.
There are three main types of dental bridges, and each type is explained, below:
Traditional Bridges – A traditional bridge is made of either ceramic or porcelain, and it is the most common type of bridge. The procedure of installing one of these bridges is the same as was explained above, with the two crowns covering adjacent teeth, and the replacement tooth covering the area of the missing tooth.
Cantilever Bridges – A cantilever bridge is a type of bridge that is used when there is only one adjacent tooth that can hold a crown.
Maryland Bonded Bridges – This is a bridge that is used when any of the front teeth are missing. This type of bridge is made of a metal framework, and features a plastic tooth with wings on the sides. The wings are then attached to the adjacent teeth.
As you can see, a dental bridge can improve the look of your smile by covering areas where teeth are missing. Additionally, a bridge can help to improve the way you chew, and in some cases, speak.
Call our cosmetic dentists in Phoenix and Scottsdale at 480-860-0092 to schedule a cosmetic dental bridge consultation for missing teeth.
