More Questions About Dental Bridges

Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Turlock, Salida, Ripon, California Dentist

 

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is an excellent option to replace missing teeth. It consists of two dental crowns, which are placed on the adjacent natural teeth, and a prosthetic tooth which fills the space left by your missing tooth.

 

Why do I need a dental bridge?

If you have lost a tooth, the neighboring teeth will begin to drift into the empty space. Your bite will change, and your upper and lower teeth will eventually become misaligned. This can lead to problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), pain when chewing, and cracked, chipped or broken teeth. Missing teeth also prevent bone stimulation in that area and can lead to bone loss. A dental bridge will keep your teeth in place and avoid creating these problems.

 

How many teeth can one dental bridge replace?

Most dental bridges are made for one or two teeth, although replacing all teeth with a bridge is possible. Bridges can be used to replace teeth in your upper or lower arches.

 

Are there different kinds of dental bridges?

There are three types of dental bridges:

 

• Traditional bridges – These are the most commonly used dental bridges. They consist of a dental crown which is placed on the two adjacent teeth and a prosthetic tooth in between. These can either be made of porcelain-fused-to-metal or entirely of dental porcelain.
• Cantilever bridges – These dental bridges are used when you only have remaining natural teeth on one side of your missing teeth.
• Maryland bonded bridges – These dental bridges consist of a plastic material which simulates your teeth and gums which is connected to a metal framework. The metal framework gets bonded to your natural teeth to provide the proper support.

 

Is a dental bridge my only choice to replace missing teeth?

There are several optionsto replace your missing teeth. Dentures have been commonly used to replace missing teeth for many years. Advances in dentistry have now made dental implants another excellent and permanent way to replace missing teeth. The knowledgeable cosmetic dentists at Sierra Dental Care will help you decide which method will work best for you.

 

If you are in need of dental bridges in Modesto, Salida, Manteca, Ripon, Ceres, or Turlock, California, please contact the experienced dentists at Sierra Dental Care today to schedule your appointment.