Dental bridges are commonly used to bridge the gap between teeth or in place of missing teeth. A dental bridge is held by the abutment teeth. It is a false tooth that is made from various materials. Generally, porcelain dental bridges are the most popular option as they look natural and blend in with surrounding teeth.
Types of Dental Bridges and Their Procedure
1. Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge is held in place with the help of dental crowns. It consists of false teeth and is cemented onto the abutment teeth. Typically, people prefer getting a traditional bridge. It is the desired option when there are natural teeth on both sides and there is a gap between the teeth that needs to be filled.
2. Cantilever Dental Bridge
The cantilever dental bridge might seem similar to a traditional bridge. A dental crown helps hold it in place. As for the dental crown, it is cemented onto one of the abutment teeth. As long as you have a natural tooth next to the tooth gap, you should be able to get a cantilever bridge.
3. Maryland Dental Bridge
A Maryland dental bridge is also similar to a traditional bridge. It uses two natural abutment teeth. This means that the teeth would be required on each side. Although a traditional bridge makes use of dental crowns for the abutment teeth, Maryland bridges utilize a porcelain or metal framework which is bonded onto the abutment teeth. However, there is a need for natural teeth on both sides to ensure that the gap is properly filled.
4. Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
Finally, there is also an implant-supported dental bridge. As you might have gotten an idea from its name, it is a type of dental bridge that utilizes a dental implant and not a framework or crown. An implant has to be surgically placed for each missing tooth. The implants help hold the bridge. Even if one implant is not placed for a single missing tooth, it is not possible to proceed with the procedure.
In order to get an implant-supported dental bridge, two surgeries are required. The first surgery that is performed involved the embedding of the implants onto the jawbone. Next, the second surgery helps place the bridge. Hence, an implant-supported bridge is easily the most stable and strongest system out there.
My Dentist San Francisco website claims that the success of any dental bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. So no matter the type and procedure of the dental bridge, it’s important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
There are plenty of benefits of getting dental bridges. If you have missing teeth or even a missing tooth, it can affect your health in different ways. By getting a dental bridge, you get to address that.
- Restore your smile.
- Restore your ability to chew properly.
- Restore your pronunciation and overall speech.
- Help maintain the shape of the face.
- Prevent the remaining teeth from adjusting into an incorrect position.
- Readjust the bite to ensure proper force is distributed whenever you chew.
One of the best things about dental bridges is that most dental insurance plans cover the procedure. In addition to this, implants are also covered by insurance which should provide you with much-needed relief. Keep in mind that dental bridges need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. The better you look after them the longer they will last.
What Is the Cost of a Dental Bridge?
The cost of a dental bridge depends on various factors as mentioned below.
- Geographic location.
- Additional treatments for dealing with other dental issues like gum disease.
- The difficulty or complexity of the placement.
- The materials used for creating the dental bridge.
- The number of teeth that have to be filled.
The type of dental bridge you select will also influence the cost. Here is what you can expect.
- A cantilever or traditional bridge costs about $2,000 to $5,000 for each crown.
- A Maryland bridge costs $1,500 to $2,500 for each framework.
- An implant-supported bridge costs $5,000 to $15,000 for each bridge.
Conclusion
There are different types of dental bridges. They all provide similar benefits and help ensure that your oral health is maintained. If you are considering getting a dental bridge, it is important that you discuss your options with the dentist. The dentist will help you decide which option to opt for. Besides, it is important that you seek the expert opinion of an expert to ensure that you get the best dental bridge. A reputable dentist will help take care of your concerns and provide you with the results that you are looking for.