Dental BridgesAn Overview
A dental bridge can replace one or more consecutive missing teeth, giving you back a functional, healthy and beautiful smile. Annapolis dentist Dr. Vernon Sheen places all types of dental bridges for restoring dental health and enabling patients to enjoy the benefits of good oral health.
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace teeth that a patient has lost or will need extracted. It is made up of two crowns on each end with the false teeth in the middle. These false teeth are called pontics.
The most common type of dental bridge recommended and placed today is a fixed bridge, anchored by your existing healthy teeth or dental implants. A dental bridge completes your smile after losing teeth and supports a functional bite for long term dental health.
Dental Bridge VS Dental Implants
When replacing one missing tooth, choosing between a dental bridge and a dental implant supported crown can seem overwhelming. If you have two or more missing teeth, then you will need to decide between a dental bridge fixed to your natural teeth or one that that will be secured by dental implants. Dr. Sheen will evaluate your oral health condition and discuss your concerns and goals before recommending the option that will best meet your needs.
Many patients are a candidate for both treatment options and should consider the following:
- Stability of your smile: both treatment options can offer a stable and secure smile, but using dental implants to either secure a bridge or as the tooth replacement will provide the most secure and lasting result.
- Bone retention: only a dental implant will offer the benefit of reduced bone loss in the jaw because the implanted post acts like a tooth root.
- Time and cost: dental implants, either as anchor or tooth replacement, will require a larger up front commitment of time and money. However, most patients report that the long term satisfaction outweighs the cost and effort required.
