DENTAL BRIDGE

A dental bridge is an option for replacing a missing tooth. A dental bridge is commonly compared with dental implants when replacing a missing tooth. A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth usually anchored off the teeth either side of a gap, bridges can also be anchored off dental implants.

THERE ARE THREE COMMON TYPES OF DENTAL BRIDGES :

1. FIXED  BRIDGE

This is the most common bridge and also the most successful dental bridge. The teeth either side of the gap are crowned and fused together with a crown in the gap. This is a good option if the teeth either side of the gap require crowning, however if the teeth either side of the gap are untouched then it may be better to consider a dental implant.

2. CANTILEVER BRIDGE

This dental bridge is similar to a fixed bridge; however, as the name suggests, it uses a cantilever design with only one anchoring tooth and works well in cases where the false tooth (pontic) is not subjected to significant force.

3. MARYLAND BRIDGE

Used only for front teeth this bridge has a false tooth (Pontic) with two little wings of metal or ceramic that glue/bond to the teeth either side of the gap. This option works well in younger patients and in cases where the teeth either side of the space are untouched.