When Do Dental Bridges Become Necessary

If you have missing teeth, your dentist can bridge the gap in your smile with dental bridges. They act as ideal teeth replacement solutions because a dental bridge is a false tooth also identified as a Pontic. Abutment teeth hold the pontic on both sides of the gap created by the missing tooth. Different types of materials can be used for making the Pontics. Metals such as gold are used to make them, but generally, porcelain is the preferred material for making them blend in with your natural teeth aesthetically.

When discussing teeth replacement solutions with your dentist, you may be offered four types of bridges, which are traditional, Maryland, cantilever, and implant-supported.

How Are Dental Bridges Affixed?

A traditional bridge is made up of a false tooth or teeth being held in place by dental crowns that have been bonded on both the abutment teeth. A conventional bridge is the most popular and is suggested if you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing tooth.

Cantilever bridges are similar to the traditional variety, but the Pontic in a cantilever bridge is bonded to just one abutment tooth by a dental crown. You can have a cantilever bridge if only one tooth next to the missing tooth is present.

Maryland dental bridges are again similar to the traditional variety but employ two natural abutment teeth, one on either side of the gap. However, a difference exists because conventional bridges use crowns on the abutment tooth. In contrast, Maryland bridges use a framework of metal or porcelain that is cemented to the backs of the abutment teeth. This variety is useful only if you have a natural tooth on both sides of the gap created by the missing tooth.

Implant-supported dental bridges use dental implants instead of crowns or frameworks. Generally, one implant is placed for every missing tooth for holding the bridge in position. If you cannot have one implant for every missing tooth, the bridge can have a Pontic suspended between two implant-supported crowns. Implant-supported bridges are reputed as robust and most stable, requiring a couple of surgeries for placing. The first surgery is to embed the implants in the jawbone and the second to set the bridge. Recovering from the operations will take several months before the procedure is completed.

What Necessitates the Need for Dental Bridges?

When you lose a tooth or several teeth, it affects you in many ways. A dental bridge can address the changes affecting you and:

• Help you to restore your smile.
• Restore your ability to chew correctly.
• Restore your speech and pronunciation.
• Maintain the shape of your face.
• Readjust your bite for adequately distributing the forces of chewing.
• Prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of the correct position.

When you are missing a tooth besides getting a tooth bridge, dentists can offer you different replacement options. The benefits of using dental bridges in Salt Lake City are numerous, and so are the factors you must consider before arriving at a decision.

What Are the Costs of Dental Bridges?

Many variables can affect the prices of dental bridges, some of which are the following:

• How many false teeth do you need to close the gaps?
• The materials you choose like composite resin, metal alloy in resin, or zirconia.
• Your geographic location.
• Do you need any additional treatment for other dental issues & the complexity or difficulties of the placement?

The prices will also depend on the variety of bridges you select.

The costs of traditional and cantilever bridges are generally $ 2000-$ 5000 for one Pontic and a crown for the abutment teeth. The expenses of Maryland bridges are usually $ 1500-$ 2500 for one Pontic with a framework or wings attached to the abutment teeth. An implant-supported dental bridge is the most expensive and costs between $ 5000-$ 15,000 for a bridge and two dental implants spanning 3 to 4 teeth.

Many insurance providers are covering bridges as they are doing with dental implants as well. Dental bridges must be replaced every 5 to 15 years, depending on the care you take of your oral hygiene. Dental implants, on the other hand, are considered a permanent solution. Factors like dental hygiene can reduce the lifespan of teeth replacement solutions like dental bridges or implants. Therefore while recommending dental bridges for replacing your missing teeth, your dentist will stress maintaining proper dental hygiene and visiting the dental office regularly for cleanings and checkups. However, dental bridges can be used to cover gaps in your smile and display teeth that feel and appear natural to everyone.