If you’re missing teeth, you should replace them as soon as possible. It prevents things like your teeth shifting to try and fill the gap. A dental bridge can replace the entire span when missing multiple consecutive teeth. At Tyler Family Dental, we can provide you with a dental bridge in Tyler, TX, as one of our restorative dentistry services.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a standard restorative dental procedure that we use at Tyler Family Dental to address one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge will span a gap left by missing tooth, and your dentist will anchor it in place with adjacent teeth or dental implants. Several types of dental bridges exist, including traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges.
Each type of dental bridge has specific indications and benefits. During your consultation, your Tyler, Texas dentist will help you determine the most appropriate option for your needs and circumstances.
Getting a Dental Bridge in Tyler, TX
Before any procedure, we schedule a consultation to ensure the best solution for your dental problems. We perform a thorough oral examination and discuss your dental and medical history and budget. We must determine the correct solution for each patient’s unique needs.
Two natural anchor teeth or dental implants can support a fixed or removable dental bridge. We’ll review the options for you so we can move forward with the correct one. The preparation process is different depending on which one you’ll be getting.
If natural teeth anchor your bridge, we’ll prepare them so that we can fit the anchors onto them. We’ll also take impressions to make the bridge specifically for your smile. Finally, we’ll give you a temporary restoration that you can use for the few weeks it takes for the permanent restoration.
If dental implants will support your bridge, the implant placement surgery is first. We place titanium posts in the jawbone, and they require 3-6 months to heal and fuse with your bone. We’ll provide a temporary restoration during this time. Once healed, we’ll create the final restoration and fit it.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are essential for restoring missing teeth’ function and aesthetics. We offer four types of dental bridges, and each one will address specific dental needs and circumstances.
Traditional Dental Bridge
The most common type of bridge is a traditional dental bridge. It consists of one more pontics (false teeth) held in place by dental crowns. This type of bridge is highly reliable and will provide a natural look, making it a popular choice among patients.
A traditional dental bridge is a good tooth replacement choice if you have one or more missing teeth in a row. It uses natural teeth to anchor the dental restoration in place. A traditional bridge is made of porcelain and metal or ceramic.
Cantilever Bridge
We will choose a cantilever bridge when adjacent teeth are only on one side of the missing tooth or teeth. Unlike a traditional bridge, cantilever bridges anchor the pontic to just one abutment tooth. We use this type of bridge sparingly since anchoring a dental bridge to more than one tooth provides more stability.
A cantilever bridge is more commonly used for areas of the mouth that experience less stress. The abutment tooth will experience more stress, potentially increasing the risk of compromising the abutment tooth.
Maryland Bridge
Our dental team typically uses a Maryland bridge to replace front teeth. A Maryland bridge is made of a framework consisting of porcelain or metal. Your dentist will bond it to the back of the teeth adjacent to the bridge. It’s less invasive than the other kinds of bridges.
Maryland bridges offer a more conservative approach than traditional and cantilever bridges. Instead of using crowns on abutment teeth, Maryland bridges use a metal or porcelain framework that the dentist will bond to the backs of the adjacent teeth. This method preserves more of the natural tooth structure but may be weaker than other types of bridges.
Implant-Supported Bridge
If patients qualify, we will usually recommend an implant-supported bridge. This is an excellent choice for patients missing multiple teeth or lacking natural teeth to support the dental restoration.
Instead of natural teeth anchoring the bridge, dental implants are the anchor. It’s the most stable dental bridge you can get, making it easier to eat a healthy diet. An implant-supported bridge provides superior stability and longevity and is especially beneficial for maintaining jawbone density and good oral health.
This type of dental restoration involves a surgical procedure in which the dentist inserts two or more dental implants into the jawbone on both sides of the gap. The implant posts serve as anchors for a custom dental bridge. To learn more about the dental implant process, see Dental Implants.
The Benefits of Dental Bridges
One of the most prominent benefits of dental bridges is improving the appearance of your smile. Missing teeth can make you insecure and self-conscious, hiding your smile publicly. When you complete your smile again, you can smile freely and feel confident socializing.
A bridge helps keep the shape of your face. When you lose teeth, the jawbone deteriorates in that area. The facial muscles rely on your teeth to support them. Without them, the face begins to sag, prematurely aging your appearance.
When teeth are missing, the ones around them try to shift to fill the gap. This shifting causes an uneven bite and other bite issues. When a dental bridge is in place, it prevents the teeth around it from moving.
Replacing missing teeth restores balance to your bite and improves your oral health. When you’re missing teeth, the other teeth must overcompensate when breaking down food. Your teeth wear down faster and can become overworked. It also impacts how your bite comes together. An uneven bite can cause strain and contribute to breaking down the jaw joint. A dental bridge helps even the bite again and ensures it moves smoothly.
Schedule a Consultation for a Dental Bridge in Tyler, TX
If you’re missing teeth, it’s essential to replace them quickly. Tyler Family Dental can provide you with a custom dental bridge in Dallas, TX to close the gap in your smile. Schedule an appointment online or call us to learn more.