4 Types of Dental Bridges and The Patient Journey

A tooth bridge is a custom restoration that helps regain chewing ability after tooth loss by bridging or closing the gap created by missing teeth. You may require a tooth bridge if you have lost one or more teeth and don’t want to get partial dentures. To receive a bridge, you must have healthy adjacent teeth to support the custom restoration. If not, you may require implants to anchor your replacement teeth.

Randolph Dental Group is a leading family-friendly dental office that provides personalized dental bridge services in Randolph, MA. To find out if you’re an ideal candidate for dental bridges, please reach out and schedule your appointment.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge consists of false teeth supported by adjacent teeth via dental crowns or another support framework. A tooth bridge can replace one to four teeth, although most patients typically use it to replace one to two teeth.

The dentist may recommend alternative teeth replacement options such as All-On-4 treatment if you’ve suffered extensive tooth loss. This form of treatment uses four dental implants to replace an entire dental arch.

Types of Dental Bridges

Randolph Dental Group offers fourtypes of bridges: conventional bridges, Maryland bridges, cantilever bridges, and implant-retained bridges.

Conventional Bridges

These are the most common. They comprise one or more false teeth supported by two healthy teeth, each on either side of the gap. To receive this kind of restoration, a patient must have healthy adjacent teeth that are reshaped and then fitted with the crowns from the dental bridge.

Maryland-bonded Bridges

A Maryland-bonded bridge is supported by two adjacent teeth as well. However, unlike a traditional bridge that uses crowns for support, Maryland-bonded bridges rely on porcelain or metal wings. These are bonded to the underside of the adjacent teeth. Therefore, Maryland bridges are usually preferable when replacing the front teeth.

Cantilever Bridges

A cantilever bridge is supported by one tooth. You may be a candidate for a cantilever bridge if you only have one healthy tooth next to the missing tooth. Cantilever bridges may not be ideal for the back teeth, as they can exert excessive chewing pressure on the anchor teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridges

If you don’t have healthy teeth but still wish to have dental bridges, you may want to consider implant-supported bridges. As the name suggests, an implant-supported bridge is anchored by an artificial tooth root or dental implant. Implant-supported bridges are advantageous in that they don’t involve the reshaping of healthy teeth.

Are Dental Bridges Right for You?

If you’re considering dental bridge services, it’s also likely that you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for the same. The best way to find out if any teeth replacement option is a good fit for you is to schedule a thorough consultation with a dentist in Randolph, MA.

However, before your consultation, some key indicators can point to the favorability of obtaining a dental bridge. Dental bridges may be a good match for you if:

• You’ve lost one to four teeth, all adjacent to each other.
• You have healthy teeth next to the missing teeth. If these teeth aren’t healthy, proper treatments must be carried out first.
• You have healthy gums. Infected or inflamed gums can cause teeth to become loose, compromising the integrity of your dental restorations.
• You don’t have sufficient bone to support implant surgery. In this case, a dental bridge may be recommended as an alternative. Otherwise, you may require bone grafting to qualify for implants.

The Patient Journey

The patient who requires dental bridges services undergoes a series of steps in transforming their smile. These include:

• Consultation and Evaluation. These initial steps allow the dentist to gauge your suitability for dental bridges. Various checks, including dental imaging, are performed at this point.
• Treatment Planning. The dentist creates a custom treatment plan that corresponds to your needs. The type of dental bridge, pre-requisite treatments, timelines, and other information are factored into the treatment plan.
• Tooth Preparation and Dental Impressions. In the case of conventional and cantilever bridges, the dentist reshapes your adjacent teeth and then obtains your impressions. Maryland-bonded bridges don’t require enamel reshaping.
• Placement of Bridge. Once the custom restoration is ready, the dentist cements the dental crowns to your anchor teeth. In the case of Maryland-bonded bridges, the dentist gently etches the underside of the adjacent teeth and then bonds the porcelain or metal wings in place.

Remember, for implant-supported bridges, you must undergo additional steps involving dental implant surgery.

Schedule Your Consultation

Are you ready to close the gaps in your smile? If you’re looking for a trusted dental office that can make your smile restoration dreams a reality, please call Randolph Dental Group today.