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Is a Dental Bridge the Answer for Me?

Calgary woman with dental bridge

A dental bridge from our Calgary clinic may be suitable for you if you’re missing one or more teeth.

Aside from the obvious problem of aesthetics, missing teeth can cause a potential chain reaction of problems including:

  • Other teeth in your mouth drifting out of position

  • A poorly aligned bite

  • TMJ issues like temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

  • Poor distribution of the force in your bite

  • Your jawbone shrinking where your teeth are missing

There are different types and uses for dental bridges, depending on your needs, and treatment with a dental bridge may also require dental implant crowns to be placed in your mouth first.

A dental bridge is an appliance containing one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that is placed in the mouth by attaching to crowns placed on teeth on both sides of the gap.

The purpose of a dental bridge is to:

  • Restore your full smile

  • Improve your ability to chew and speak

  • Maintain the shape of your face

  • Properly distribute the force in your bite

  • Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

dental bridge

Common Questions about Dental Bridges

What kind of dental bridge do I need?

There are three main types of dental bridges, which all employ a pontic (artificial tooth) to replace a missing tooth:

  • A traditional dental bridge consists of a porcelain or gold crown on either side of a pontic, with the crowns being permanently cemented to anchoring teeth on either side of the gap. The same arrangement can be used with more than one pontic, and the anchoring teeth can either be natural or a dental implant crown, but not a combination of both.
  • A Maryland dental bridge, which is also referred to as a Maryland bonded bridge or resin-bonded bridge, is comprised of a pontic with metal wings extending out on either side. These wings are bonded to the adjacent teeth when the Maryland dental bridge is placed.
  • A cantilever dental bridge is used when the supporting tooth (abutment) for the bridge is only on one side of the replacement tooth

Each of these dental bridge solutions varies in its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cost of the dental bridge, and they are not equal choices in replacing a missing tooth. A traditional dental bridge is typically the most appropriate treatment option, offering the most longevity.

How do I care for my dental bridge?

At our Calgary dental clinic, we can place your dental bridge and also help you care for it. The success of a dental bridge depends on the health of the adjacent teeth and gums, so it’s important that your remaining teeth are kept healthy and strong. This can be achieved with regular and proper brushing and flossing, regular hygiene visits, use of a splint or night guard (if required), and maintaining proper nutrition and a balanced diet.

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