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If one or more of your teeth are missing, a dental bridge may be a viable option. A dental bridge consists of prosthetic teeth which serve to bridge any gaps in your smile. When installed, a dental bridge provides a permanent anchor to adjacent and nearby teeth using either a dental implant or dental crown. Like dental crowns, dental bridges are manufactured from durable tooth-like material and produce healthy, natural-looking results.
Dental bridges can be traditional or implant supported. Traditional dental bridges are made from a crown (a false tooth top) which is supported by a wire that connects to the two surrounding teeth. An implant-supported bridge uses an implanted post to attach the tooth or teeth in place.
The time it takes to get a dental bridge depends on the type of bridge selected and if the tooth or a part of the tooth has to be extracted. Traditional bridges take a few weeks if no extraction is required, while implant-supported bridges will take months until the final bridge can be installed.
There are four different categories or types of dental bridges. These include traditional and implant-supported, which are the most common, as well as a cantilever and Maryland type. Cantilever types required only one abutment tooth. The Maryland bridge is bonded to the back part of the two abutment teeth.
Implant-supported bridges help to prevent gum and bone loss while also providing a permanent option and better support for the bridge when more than one tooth is being replaced.
This is a multi-step process that is customized for each patient. All patients will need to have a mold to create the porcelain crowns, the posts implanted in the jaw, and time for the bone to fuse with the implants. The patient will then have the temporary crowns removed and the permanent bridge installed.
The implant-supported bridge offers a permanent solution for a missing tooth, prevents damage to surrounding teeth, helps reduce bone loss, and provides a stable, solid surface for chewing.
No, once installed in the mouth, the implant-supported dental bridge is maintained the same way as other teeth. Brushing and flossing on a daily basis is important to avoid staining, which is similar to any other dental work.