Dental Bridge - What is It and How Does it Benefit the Mouth?

Patients who are missing any of their teeth can visit a dentist who will close the gaps in the teeth with a dental bridge. In general, a dental bridge is a pontic (false tooth) that is kept in place in the mouth by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap in the teeth. While a pontic can be created from a variety of materials, they are usually made from porcelain, so they have an aesthetic appearance that blends in with the natural teeth.

Ready to learn more about the benefits of a dental bridge? Get started with this in-depth video from Cosmetic Town TV:

Dental Bridge – Are There Different Types?

Patients who are considering having a dental bridge placed in the mouth need to know there are four main types of dental bridges:

1. A traditional dental bridge is one that contains one false tooth or several teeth. This type of dental bridge is held in place by dental crowns that the dentist cements onto each of the abutment teeth. One of the reasons that a traditional dental bridge is so popular is because it can be used in cases where the patient has natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by a missing tooth.
2. A Maryland dental bridge is somewhat similar to a traditional dental bridge in that it uses the two abutment teeth that are located on each side of the gap in the teeth. The main difference is that a Maryland dental bridge bonds porcelain or metal on the back of the abutment teeth instead of dental crowns. It is also like a traditional dental bridge in that it can only be used when the patient has a natural tooth on each side of the gap in the mouth.
3. A cantilever dental bridge holds the pontic in place with a dental crown that is cemented to only one abutment tooth. This means the patient only needs a single natural tooth next to the gap caused by the missing tooth.
4. An implant-supported dental bridge uses implants to address the issue of gaps in the teeth. This treatment option usually involves one implant being surgically placed in the mouth for each missing tooth. Once they are surgically placed in the mouth of the patient, the implant will hold the dental bridge in place. If it is not possible to place one implant for each one of the missing teeth, the dental bridge might have a pontic suspended between two crowns supported by implants. There are two surgeries involved with implant-supported dental bridges, The first one is to embed the dental implant in the jawbone and then the second surgery is performed to properly place the bridge in the mouth.

Dental Bridge – Who Needs One?

The ideal patient for a dental bridge procedure is a person who is missing one tooth or several teeth in the mouth. In addition, a good candidate for a dental bridge is a person who wants to improve the aesthetics and/or functionality of their teeth.

Dental Bridge – What are the Benefits?

The benefits of having a dental bridge placed in the mouth include a restoration of the smile, an easier time properly speaking and pronouncing words, an improved ability to chew, and preventing the remaining natural teeth in the mouth from moving out of their correct position.

Dental Bridge or Dental Implant – Which One is Better?

When it comes to deciding if dental bridges or dental implants are a better choice, the patient should keep in mind that a number of insurance plans cover dental bridges and some even cover dental implants.

It is also important to know that dental implants are viewed as a permanent solution for treating issues with missing teeth. On the other hand, a dental bridge might need to be replaced anywhere from five to fifteen years after it is placed in the mouth. The length of time that a dental bridge lasts in the mouth can be impacted by a lack of proper oral care.

Dental Bridge – What is the Cost?

The cost of a dental bridge depends on a number of factors. The price can run anywhere from $500-$1200 per tooth or pontic and the cost depends on the material used to create the bridge, the type of bridge that is placed in the mouth, the number of pontics that need to be placed in the mouth, and the amount of work the cosmetic dentist will need to perform. Insurance might cover part of the cost since the replacement of missing teeth is considered to be a functional issue with the mouth.

Patients who have missing teeth in their mouth need to visit an experienced dentist who is properly trained in the placement of dental bridges in the mouth. The dentist will examine the teeth to make sure the patient can benefit from the placement of a dental bridge and also determine the best dental bridge choice based on the individual needs of the patient.

- MA