What are the Benefits of a Dental Bridge?

Michael Wahl • June 10, 2019

Tooth loss can be a vicious cycle. The more teeth you lose, the more likely you are to damage or lose surrounding teeth. We’ve addressed the importance of replacing damaged or missing teeth in another blog post. You have several options for replacing your teeth, but a dental bridge is a common option if you’ve only lost one or two teeth.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridges have two parts- a pontic, which is a replacement tooth for the missing tooth, and an abutment, which is the supporting structures that hold the bridge in place. There are four main types of bridges to meet the various needs of different patients.

  1. The most common type of bridge is a pontic replacement tooth connected to two crowns on either side. Your dentist files down the teeth on either side of the gap and places the abutment crowns on those teeth. There are a few other options, depending on where the gap occurs in your mouth and the strength of the teeth around it. In the industry, professionals call this a traditional bridge .
  2. If there is only one tooth next to the gap, a cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, but only has one crown on one side of the pontic.
  3. If several teeth need replacing, a Maryland bridge is similar to a denture but is fixed in the mouth. This bridge has plastic teeth and gums with metal wings on both sides of the teeth to bond the bridge in place on surrounding teeth. Your dentist can advise you which type of bridge is best for your mouth.
  4. Finally, if you have multiple teeth missing, another great option is an implant-supported bridge . Your dentist can help protect your jawbone from weakening by placing two implants at the edges of the gap. After your mouth heals from this procedure, your dentist will place a bridge over the implants to fill the space between them with natural-looking plastic teeth and gums.

Benefits of a Dental Bridge

There are many reasons it’s important and helpful to replace missing teeth in your smile.

Replacing missing teeth helps you:

  • chew effectively
  • prevent bacteria growth and food from lodging in the gap
  • protect the shape and structure of your jaw
  • improve your confidence as it restores the aesthetics of a complete smile
  • prevent surrounding teeth from collapsing into the gap

You might find bridges a better option than partial dentures or a full set of dentures because they help you keep any healthy teeth that you have. Also, your dentist will permanently affix your dental bridge in your mouth. This is great if you are concerned about losing your dental appliance while you talk or eat, or if you are concerned you may lose a removable appliance. Dentures can be very fragile, which makes dental bridges a more durable option. However, if you struggle to clean your teeth effectively in your mouth, a denture can be easier to clean as you can remove it and see all sides clearly.

How Do I Care for a Dental Bridge?

Your dentist will bond your dental bridge to your permanent teeth. You won’t need to remove them and you should care for them like you do your other permanent teeth. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss twice daily. It is really important to gently stimulate the gums under your bridge to help keep the gums healthy. If bacteria sits on your gums and causes them to recede, it makes a gap between the bridge and the gums. This gap will become a hiding place for bacteria and will make the problem worse. Bacteria damage your gums and surrounding teeth. This may also lead to infection in your jaw or more tooth loss.

 

If you are missing teeth, talk with your dentist about the best options for your mouth and budget. Your dentist should work with you to find the right option for you. If you don’t have a dentist, or want one that will work with you to find solutions, consider visiting us at West One Family Dental.

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • September 1, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • August 25, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • August 18, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • August 11, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • July 28, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • July 21, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • July 14, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • July 7, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • July 1, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • June 23, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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