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dental bridge is a non-removable prosthetic that is designed to bridge a gap between teeth. This device is supported by the teeth adjacent to the gap and holds the pontics (the artificial teeth) in between, restoring the person’s eating and smiling ability.
At Randolph Center for Dental Excellence, Dr. Bryan Freeman and Dr. Cheryl Freeman we recommend dental bridges as a good option for replacing a single tooth or multiple missing teeth.
There are three types of dental bridges that are most commonly used: traditional dental bridges, cantilever dental bridges, and Maryland dental bridges.
Traditional Dental Bridges
Traditional dental bridges are made up of one or more artificial teeth that are held aloft by two dental crowns on either side of the gap. This is the strongest type of bridge and can withstand a large amount of chewing force, hence we recommend it for replacing molars and premolars.
However, its major drawback is that it requires the scaling down of your natural teeth to accommodate the crowns.
Cantilever Dental Bridges
A cantilever bridge is anchored into place by a single crown on one side of the gap. Because of this design, this bridge is not as strong as a traditional dental bridge and can break if too much pressure is applied to it.
We recommend cantilever bridges for people who want to restore their front teeth but have only one healthy tooth remaining on the side of the gap.
Maryland Dental Bridges
A Maryland dental bridge is not supported by dental crowns but rather by your natural teeth.
This device consists of a wing-like framework that can be bonded to the back of your healthy teeth with composite resin. Hence, this dental bridge preserves the natural structure of your remaining teeth.
However, the success rate of a Maryland bridge is not as high as traditional bridges since the resin bonding it to the teeth may chip off, compromising the stability of the bridge.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges come with a number of benefits for the patient:
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They can help restore your smile in a minimally-invasive way.
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They offer good chewing and biting functions.
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They prevent your teeth from shifting out of their correct alignment because of extra space in the mouth.
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They prevent excessive wear to your remaining healthy teeth.
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They do not require any recovery time and the procedure is painless.
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They can last for up to 10 years if you take care of them properly. |
How to Take Care of Your Dental Bridges
After getting your dental bridge, you need to make sure you take care of your teeth.
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Make sure you observe proper oral hygiene and brush and floss your teeth in the correct way. Also, always keep your six-month appointments with us so that we can be sure your teeth and bridges are in good shape.
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Limit your intake of starchy, sugary, and acid-producing food as it can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.
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Avoid eating hard or sticky food as that can loosen or break your dental bridge. |
Dental bridges are a conservative option to replace your missing teeth and restore the proper function and esthetics of your mouth. If you are concerned about your missing teeth, schedule an appointment at Randolph Center for Dental Excellence by calling (336) 444-2772 today.
