Dental bridge- Pros & Cons

A dental bridge is a cosmetic solution to help you tackle problems associated with one or more missing teeth. It is an artificial tooth or row of teeth that are made from porcelain, ceramic, gold, or alloy. They are named so because they fill in the gap between healthy teeth. They attach to existing natural teeth or dental implants and help restore the bite, smile, and oral health. This blog describes the pros and cons of dental bridges and their different types as discussed by our professionals in Grandview Dental Clinic.

 

 

Different types of dental bridges

Dental bridges can be of different types. Some of them are as follows:

Traditional

A traditional dental bridge is the most prevalent type of bridge. It consists of one or more false teeth being held in place by dental crowns that have been bonded to each of the abutment teeth.

Cantilever

A cantilever bridge is designed when abutment teeth are prepared on only one side of the missing toothless gap. Dentists recommend these for patients who have teeth only on one side of the gap. when there is only one tooth. 

Maryland 

Maryland or resin-bonded bridge consists of a metallic or porcelain framework that is cemented to the backs of abutment teeth. It leaves the natural teeth completely intact. 

Implant-supported

As suggested by the name, Implant-supported bridges are supported by dental implants on either end instead of teeth or frameworks. Implant-supported bridges are the strongest system that can be used as a replacement for several teeth. 

Dental bridges pros and cons

Pros of dental bridges

The advantages of dental bridges are discussed as follows: 

They last long.

With good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings, a dental bridge can last five to seven years.

They are affordable.

Dental bridges are an affordable tooth replacement option. They are less expensive than dental implants because they don’t demand the precision of dental implants. 

Reduces the risk of gum disease.

When you have a missing tooth, the teeth present on either side start spreading toward the vacant space, thereby affecting the bite alignment and making it difficult to floss. A dental bridge fills up much space, thus making it easy to remove plaque and eventually reducing the risk of gum disease.  

 

It’s a non-surgical method.

One other significant benefit of dental bridges is that their establishment doesn’t require surgery and they can be placed on your teeth only with the utilization of local anesthesia. Therefore, the downtime is also less and patients don’t require a long time to accustom to the feel of it, and soon after, it gets hardly noticeable.`

Excellent dental restorations.

When it comes to dental restorations, dental bridges are a popular choice. They restore the ability to chew food as well as the natural look of your smile by covering severely discolored or misaligned teeth.  

The other benefits of dental bridges are:

Improved biteEnhanced speechPrevents remaining teeth from moving out of placeMaintains the normal facial structure

 

Limitations of dental bridges

Though the dental bridges are very effective in addressing the missing tooth problems, there are several limitations such as: 

They don’t address bone loss 

Dental bridges are positioned above the gum line and unlike the implants, they don’t have an artificial root that is screwed into the jaw bone. Therefore, dental bridges don’t play any role in stopping bone loss.

They don’t last as long as implants

Unlike implants, which are considered more of a permanent solution, the lifespan of dental bridges can be reduced by various factors, such as the condition and health of the rest of the teeth and mouth.

Sometimes the bridge can be compromised. 

If the abutment teeth suffer any damage in the future, or if they aren't strong enough to support the bridge, you may lose the entire bridge. For instance, the bridge can collapse if you develop a cavity or develop periodontal disease.

 

 

Grandview Dental Clinic is one of the most renowned dental clinics in Oshawa and Scarborough. Our clinic is equipped with state-of-art technology and we treat our patients with kindness and care. Book an appointment with us for our dental services.

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