When one or more of your teeth are missing, your smile and confidence can be affected in several ways. It is difficult to smile broadly when some of your teeth are missing. If the gap that the missing teeth left is not filled soon, the adjacent teeth can shift from their original position to fill the gap. This results in teeth misalignment and a bad bite, which are some of the major causes of severe dental issues, including TMJ disorders. These are also some of the problems dentists aim to prevent when they recommend replacing teeth immediately after they are lost or extracted.
With several dental replacement options today, you can discuss your options with a skilled dentist. They can recommend dental bridges if you are a suitable candidate. However, take time to understand the four types of dental bridges and their benefits, issues, and costs before deciding. A skilled dentist will guide you through this process and explain the treatment process to prepare you for what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
A Brief Overview of Dental Bridges
Natural teeth can be lost due to various factors, including trauma, decay, or periodontal disease. Accidents involving direct blows to the face or mouth can result in tooth loss. It can also occur if you live with an untreated cavity for a long time. A cavity starts small and escalates over time. It can damage a significant part of your natural teeth before you can seek treatment. If treatment is delayed, your dentist may need to extract the tooth to prevent further damage to adjacent teeth and underlying structures.
You can also lose one or more teeth due to a periodontal disease. This is a disease that affects your gums and the underlying structures. It causes gum recession, weakening the support between your gums and teeth. This causes your teeth to fall out. An untreated gum disease can result in a significant loss of teeth.
Dentists recommend promptly replacing lost teeth to maintain the health and function of remaining teeth. Several treatment options are available, including dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Each treatment option offers distinct benefits and disadvantages, which you should discuss with your dentist beforehand.
Dental bridges have so much to offer, including aesthetics and durability. Bridges are fixed on the missing tooth gap. They can be used with an implant or a natural tooth. A dental bridge can replace one or multiple missing teeth. They attach an artificial tooth or teeth to a natural tooth on either side of the missing tooth gap. A dental crown then secures the artificial teeth to support them and keep the bridge in place.
Once placed, a dental bridge will restore the functionality of your teeth. You can chew and speak better than you could without some of your teeth. Bridges will improve your aesthetics. You will have your natural-looking smile. This will boost your confidence and self-esteem. Bridges can help prevent issues such as teeth shifting and bite misalignment. For example, they will avoid a bad bite when your teeth shift from their natural position on the gum. Also, a dental bridge, such as an implant-supported bridge, can help maintain your jawbone health. Bone loss is inevitable if you do not replace a missing tooth soon enough.
Types of Dental Bridges
When you visit your dentist to replace one or more missing teeth, they will examine you to determine the best tooth replacement treatment for you. If you are a good candidate for a dental bridge, your dentist will explain how bridges work, the placement process, and what to expect. They will also discuss the following options and guide you in choosing the right one for your needs and budget:
Traditional Dental Bridges
These are the most common dental bridges in the field of dentistry today. They consist of one or more artificial teeth called the pontics, and a crown to support the artificial teeth on the adjacent natural teeth or abutment. Dentists cement the crown on the abutment teeth to give stability and support to the artificial tooth and the bridge.
The pontics are the artificial teeth your dentist will use to replace your missing teeth. The abutments are the natural teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing tooth. They must be prepared to use a crown to support the bridge and artificial teeth. A crown is a cap a dentist places over a prepared tooth or abutment to support or strengthen a dental bridge. Dentists use cement or dental adhesive to bond a crown to an abutment permanently.
The placement of a traditional dental bridge starts with the abutment preparation. The dentist will reshape the adjacent teeth to ensure the crown fits perfectly. The dentist then fabricates a crown and fits it on the prepared abutment. If it fits well, the dentist will cement it in place. They will then attach pontics to the crown to complete a dental bridge. The bridge will permanently replace the missing tooth or teeth, restore your smile and confidence, and make your teeth functional once again.
The advantages of traditional dental bridges include the following:
- They are reliable and effective in replacing missing teeth, and restoring your smile and teeth’s functionality
- They can work very well when you have strong and healthy teeth on both sides of the missing teeth
- A traditional dental bridge will also restore your speech and chewing ability
- You can enjoy improved aesthetics for years after losing your natural teeth
However, the dentist has to consider several factors before recommending traditional dental bridges. Some of these considerations include the following:
- The adjacent teeth on both sides of the missing teeth must be strong and healthy to support the dental bridge
- You should be prepared to have your natural teeth prepared and reshaped to accommodate a dental crown, which can be uncomfortable and painful.
- Dental bridges are not suitable for all people. They will not work for you if your teeth’s health is compromised by cavities or gum disease.
The cost of traditional dental bridges can range from $2000 to $5000, depending on the material used, your exact location, the materials to be used, and the complexity of your case.
Cantilever Dental Bridges
A dentist fixes this dental bridge on just one adjacent tooth for strength and support. It works almost the same as the traditional dental bridge, but is only attached to one side of the missing tooth, not two. Thus, you only need one healthy and strong adjacent tooth on one side of a missing tooth to receive a cantilever bridge. The dentist anchors the bridge on the existing natural or abutment tooth, where a dental crown is fixed to support the artificial tooth that replaces the missing tooth.
The main feature of a cantilever bridge is the one-sided support, which distinguishes it from the traditional bridge. The one-sided support is from an abutment tooth that is strong and healthy and must be prepared to receive a crown. The dentist will also use a pontic, an artificial tooth that replaces the missing tooth.
Cantilever bridges are usually made from strong materials like ceramic or ceramic fused with a metal. Dentists use these bridges to replace a single missing tooth, especially a front tooth that does not use intense bite force.
The treatment process for cantilever bridges starts with an initial consultation, when the dentist assesses your needs to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this type of dental bridge. They will develop a personalized treatment plan that suits your needs, preferences, and budget. The dentist will then prepare the abutment or adjacent tooth to receive a dental crown. They will create impressions of the prepared and surrounding teeth to customize a dental bridge.
When the bridge and crown are ready, the dentist will fit them and assess their fit. They can make a few adjustments before cementing the crown and fixing the bridge.
The cost of cantilever bridges can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per single pontic, depending on the material used, your exact location, and the complexity of the process.
Maryland Dental Bridges
Maryland bridges, or resin-bonded bridges, are permanent tooth replacement options that use a porcelain or metal framework and wings that attach to the back side of adjacent teeth. They do not use dental crowns like traditional and cantilever dental bridges for support and strength. This reduces the time a dentist needs to prepare your adjacent teeth for the placement of a bridge. Maryland bridges are also more conservative, making them an excellent alternative to traditional ones.
Your dentist will secure the bridge to the back of the adjacent teeth for support using a porcelain or metal framework and wings that they bond to your teeth’s enamel. This eliminates the need for a crown. Also, you have several material options, including ceramics, porcelain, metals like gold, and porcelain infused with metals.
Maryland bridges offer many benefits. The less preparation needed before receiving a bridge will save your time and the pain and discomfort of tooth preparation for a dental crown. The procedure is minimally invasive.
It is also an excellent way to replace a missing front tooth. The results are more aesthetically pleasing when compared to traditional bridges. Your dentist can match the bridges to the color and shape of your natural teeth to give you a seamless smile.
Additionally, Maryland bridges are less expensive than traditional and cantilever bridges. However, their suitability depends on your individual case. The placement cost can range from $1,500 to $2,500.
However, they are not as strong as traditional bridges. They are only perfect for replacing missing front teeth, which do not need as much force to chew. If you take good care of them, they can last for years.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
This type of dental implant is supported by an implant instead of a crown or framework. A dentist places an implant for every missing tooth, holding the bridge and the artificial tooth in position. This is the strongest and most stable option for all dental bridges. Dentists use it to replace multiple teeth in a row, using implants for anchorage and strength instead of the adjacent natural teeth.
Implant-supported bridges can replace multiple teeth in a row. They offer a more stable and durable solution than traditional bridges. They feature dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed in your jawbone. Over time, the implant fuses with your jawbone to create a more stable support for the bridge. The benefits offered by this type of bridge include the following:
- Implant-supported bridges are more stable and secure. They are less likely to shift or move, even after you apply more force when chewing or biting.
- Dentists do not consider the health and strength of your adjacent teeth when recommending them.
- If you worry about bone loss after losing more teeth in a row, this is an excellent way to preserve your jawbone.
- This bridge gives you a more natural appearance and function
- The replacement can last for a very long time with proper care.
However, they are more expensive than other types of dental bridges. The cost ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on different treatments and the number of teeth you need to replace.
You must also undergo surgical treatment to place an implant before receiving an implant-supported bridge. Surgical treatments are invasive and could take a long time to heal. They also increase your risk of complications and infections.
Find an Experienced Dentist Near Me
If you have one or more missing teeth in Encino due to an accident, a cavity, or gum disease, you can benefit significantly from a dental bridge. However, you need to know the four different types of dental bridges, their benefits, uses, and costs for effective decision-making.
At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we are experts in dental bridges and other dental replacement techniques. We can provide the information you need to know how bridges work, the different types, and the choice that suits your needs, preferences, and budget. We will also review the treatment process to prepare you for what to expect before, during, and after receiving a dental bridge. Call us at 818-751-5100 to discuss your needs and our services in detail.
