Dental bridges have long been a preferred method of cosmetic dentistry. Dental bridges can help to replace teeth that have been lost due to injury, decay, or other problems, and help to give a person a smile that they can once again be comfortable with.
What is a dental bridge?
A
dental bridge is a false tooth (or multiple teeth) that are fused to metal. On either side of these fabricated teeth is a
crown, which is affixed to existing teeth to support the bridge. These crowns can be affixed to either natural teeth or
dental implants that are already in place, or it can be affixed to both if that is necessary.
Types of Dental Bridges
A person can choose from one of three types of dental bridges, and each works in a different way so you should have no problem in choosing a dental bridge that will work best for you. A traditional bridge is one of the most commonly used dental bridges, and consists of the false tooth supported by the two crowns on each side. A cantilever bridge is the type of bridge that is used when there is only one tooth beside the spot that is missing a tooth. And finally, the Maryland Bonded bridge is a set of plastic teeth and gums that is affixed to a metal frame to be put into place.
Each of these types of dental bridges varies in price, with the Maryland Bonded bridge being the most affordable. If cost is an issue for you, the Maryland bridge would be your best option. When compared to other methods that are used to replace lost teeth however, such as dental implants or dentures, all of the dental bridges are less expensive and more affordable.
Getting a dental bridge put in place is not a hard procedure, and generally takes very little time. It can be an excellent way to replace teeth that have been lost, and give you back both tooth function and personal confidence. If you have a missing tooth, or more than one, you should talk with your
cosmetic dentist about the possibility of getting a dental bridge.