BRIDGES

What is Dental Bridge?

Dental bridge is a permanent appliance that replaces a missing tooth or missing teeth. It has several pieces that are fused together to fit into the open space where your tooth or teeth used to be.

Dental bridges are an alternative to partial dentures. A bridge can help you eat and speak more effectively and also make your teeth look better.

Types of Dental Bridges:

• Traditional
  • A traditional dental bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth being held in place by dental crowns that have been cemented onto each of the abutment teeth.

• Cantilever
  • Although similar to a traditional bridge, the pontic in a cantilever dental bridge is held in place by a dental crown that is cemented to only one abutment tooth. For a cantilever bridge, you only need one natural tooth next to the missing tooth gap.

• Maryland
  • Often used to replace front teeth. Instead of crowns, this type of dental bridge uses porcelain or metal frameworks with “wings” that are bonded to the back of your teeth on either side of the gap.

• Implant-supported
  • This bridge is similar to a “traditional fixed bridge” but instead of being cemented in place to teeth, it is held in place by implants.