What Dental Bridges Can Do For Your Smile
Dental bridges are a tooth replacement option that dentists generally offer if you have strong, healthy teeth on either side of an empty space (or spaces). Traditional bridges consist of caps (the crowns that fit over your natural teeth on either side of your gap) and pontics (the artificial teeth that replace your missing teeth and "bridge" the gap in your smile).
Dr. Thomas, our skilled prosthodontist, designs customized dental bridges in Knoxville, TN, that match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth so that they seamlessly fill the gaps in your smile. Our dental bridges are strong, natural-looking restorations that can last you several years if cared for and properly maintained. Contact our team today to learn more about how our custom-made dental bridges can help restore your smile!
Types Of Dental Bridges
- Traditional Bridges: These are the standard dental bridges that are composed of caps, which are dental crowns that fit onto the strong, healthy teeth on either side of your gap and support your bridge, and pontics, which are the artificial teeth that cover the gap in your smile left by your missing tooth or teeth. To place these bridges, Dr. Thomas would have to remove some enamel from the healthy teeth on either side of your gap to fit the supporting crown caps.
- Cantilever Bridges: These bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but they have only one cap on one side that supports the bridge instead of two. The pontics will then hang over your gap, supported on one side. These bridges are not as strong as traditional bridges because of this asymmetrical support, so they are generally used when you have only strong, natural teeth on one side of the gap left by your missing tooth or teeth.
- Resin-bonded Bridges: These are similar to traditional bridges in structure, but instead of being supported by crown caps, the pontics are supported by metal wings that are attached to the back of the healthy teeth on either side of your gap. These are not as strong as traditional bridges and are generally used to replace gaps in your front teeth rather than your back molars because they won't have to withstand as much pressure.
- Implant-Supported Bridges: Instead of being supported by crowns that fit over your natural teeth, the pontics of these bridges are supported by two dental implants on either side of your gap. This is the strongest and most durable type of dental bridge, but it requires a healing period of two to four months while your implants fuse with the bone in your jaw. Dr. Thomas will generally offer this type of dental bridge if you are missing three or more consecutive teeth.
Disadvantages of Dental Bridges
The main disadvantage of a dental bridge is that to fabricate a dental bridge, you need to crown (or cap) the teeth in front of the empty space and behind the empty space, and depending upon the width of the space, you may need to crown more than one of the adjacent (abutment) teeth.
If the adjacent teeth already have crowns or large fillings, we are less concerned about making a bridge because the teeth have already had dental work. But when the adjacent teeth are healthy teeth with small fillings or no restorations, we try to avoid cutting those teeth for bridges and prefer to use dental implants instead, as it’s a much more conservative approach.
Our Other Tooth Replacement Options
Here are the alternatives to dental bridges that we offer at our dental practice in Knoxville:
- Dentures: If you have several missing teeth but you don't qualify as a candidate for implants, our custom-designed dentures fit comfortably and look and feel like your natural teeth.
- Dental Implants: If you are missing a tooth and you want a natural-looking, permanent replacement, we offer customized implants to seamlessly complete your smile.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: If you want the convenience of removable dentures but you don't want them to move while you speak or chew, we design and place implant-supported dentures.
- All-On-4 Dental Implants: If you want to replace a full arch of missing teeth, we offer the revolutionary restoration option of all-on-4 implants. You can qualify for this option even if you don't have sufficient bone tissue for traditional implants.
- Full Mouth Rehabilitation: Dr. Thomas specializes in full mouth reconstruction and has a passion for rebuilding smiles that others have deemed beyond repair. If you are missing several teeth or are suffering from a severe injury or a genetic dental condition, full mouth rehabilitation can save your smile!
Restore Your Smile Today!
Schedule an appointment with our experienced and compassionate prosthodontist, Dr. Thomas, and find out how customized dental prosthetics can transform your smile and change your life for the better!
