If you lose one or more teeth, you might struggle with performing your usual oral functions. You might also feel self-conscious about the way your smile appears with gaps. Your dentist can replace these teeth using an appliance called a dental bridge.
Depending on your preferences, budget, and dental needs, your dentist can offer you a few kinds of bridges that may suit your unique smile. Schedule a consultation with your dentist in Owings Mills, MD to develop an individualized tooth replacement plan. Read on to learn about three types of dental bridges that could restore your smile after tooth loss.
Which Dental Bridge Will Best Replace My Missing Teeth?
Removable Dental Bridge
Some dental patients prefer a removable tooth replacement solution, and for this, they can talk to their dentist about a partial denture. This removable bridge uses prosthetic teeth attached to an acrylic base. It then uses a combination of a metal framework and natural suction to remain in place.
This device provides an affordable way to fill gaps and restore oral function where you have lost three or more teeth. You can take it out of the mouth when not needed for comfort. This will require separate cleaning from the rest of the mouth to maintain and will not last as long as fixed tooth replacement options.
Traditional Fixed Dental Bridge
The traditional dental bridge employs a fixed oral appliance to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. This device features prosthetic teeth with dental crowns on each end of the device. The crowns fit over adjacent teeth from the missing ones as abutments.
Then the dentist will seal the bridge into place with dental cement to keep the crowns over the abutment teeth. This bridge can then serve as a secure tooth replacement for ten years or more. Continue good oral hygiene for best results with this appliance.
It will stay fixed in the mouth so that you will not have to worry about it slipping out of place. If it does become loose or breaks, tell your dentist as soon as you can for a prompt replacement.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
A dentist can offer the most comprehensive restorative benefits with tooth replacement through implant dentistry. They can give you an implant-supported dental bridge to replace three or more teeth in a row. It uses surgically placed anchors in the jaw to support the prosthetic teeth: one anchor for each end of the device.
The dental implant can take several months to heal and receive your permanent prosthetic bridge. But in the end, you will have a beautiful, securely fitting tooth replacement that will last twenty years or longer with proper oral health care.
It will also not require additional maintenance as a removable option might need. Your dentist can check that your jaw is strong enough to support the implant using x-ray imaging. Schedule an appointment with your restorative dental expert today to learn more.