What Are the Different Types of Dental Bridges?

Missing teeth can affect the confidence you have in your smile, but they can also lead to oral health problems. If your smile is incomplete and you’re looking into your tooth replacement options, you might have read a few things about bridges.

They are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth long-term. In this article, you can discover four different types of dental bridges, how they work, and whether you’re a good candidate for them.

The 4 Types of Dental Bridges

Here are the dental bridge options you may get to restore your smile’s function and appearance:

1. Traditional bridge

The traditional bridge can replace 1-3 missing teeth in a row. It’s essentially one prosthetic with artificial teeth and a dental cap on each side. The caps will go over your two permanent teeth and act as anchors, keeping the artificial ones in place.

2. Implant-supported bridge

An implant-supported bridge uses two dental implants instead of caps. It’s an effective solution for patients with more severe tooth loss or dental damage.

This prosthetic can therefore replace around 5 missing teeth without requiring patients to get 5 individual implants. The only requirement is that the patient has enough bone density and that the missing teeth are in a row.

3. Maryland bonded bridge

This version swaps the dental caps for a metal or porcelain frame, which is attached at the back of two natural teeth.

The Maryland bonded bridge doesn’t require resizing the natural tooth at all, so it may be a better option if your two anchors are perfectly healthy.

4. Cantilever bridge  

Lastly, the Cantilever bridge is a great solution to replace one of your missing front teeth. Unlike the traditional bridge, this version has only one anchor, which will provide a strong enough hold for the front teeth.

Cantilever bridges are not ideal for back teeth, since you put a lot more pressure on them during chewing, which could damage your anchor tooth.

Are Bridges Right for Me?

Dental bridges, no matter which type, may be an excellent way to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. However, you won’t know for sure until you speak to a dentist.

It’s important to get an oral health screening and see whether you’re a good candidate for these prosthetics. For instance, dental bridges require strong anchor teeth, otherwise, the restoration will fail.

If you’re not a good candidate, you still have other options, like traditional implants or even dentures.

Find Out Your Tooth Replacement Options with Our Help

Don’t let missing teeth affect your confidence or wreak more havoc on your oral health. Come meet with Dr. Saimon Ramos for a short chat and thorough oral health assessment to see if dental bridges are the right solution for you.

Request a visit to the Bow Tie Dentist or call our office at (727) 789-1212 today!