Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are fixed or permanent restorations that replace one or more of your teeth if they’re missing. They can mimic the appearance, shape, and function of natural teeth.

At Ivory Dental, we custom-make every bridge. Sometimes, the patient requires multiple bridges. When that happens, we call it a full-mouth rehabilitation. This is a lot for you to handle, so we might recommend that you go with implants or dentures instead.

If you live in Albuquerque, NM, you require the right dentist. They should be caring, kind, and offer a variety of services. Ivory Dental can do that and even more!

We often use porcelain for our dental bridges. From there, we attach them to a metal structure. However, if you prefer an all-ceramic style, we can do that, too. It is a combination of porcelain, ceramic, and other materials.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Dental Bridges

Are you a good candidate for dental bridges? Most people are, but we may also recommend other treatments. That way, you know what is available to help with your issue. From there, you can decide what is best for you.

Dental bridges are a great alternative to implants and are cheaper. However, they do have some downsides to them.

If you’re thinking about getting dental bridges, there are a few things to consider. That way, you can determine if it’s right for you. However, even after learning about the advantages and disadvantages, you might be unsure. You can always call for an appointment with the dentist. That way, you can discuss things and learn as much as you can.

We are always here for you and want to be helpful. That way, you feel confident that you’ve chosen the best treatment for your budget and needs. Let’s learn about the benefits and drawbacks now:

Advantages

There are many benefits of having dental bridges installed in your mouth. Here are the top reasons:

• The procedure is quick and virtually painless.
• You don’t require invasive surgery in most cases. However, the bridge might require support from implants, which is a different story.
• Dental bridges are more affordable than dental implants.
• There’s a faster recovery time, meaning you can get back to normal activities sooner.
• They can be used to restore a natural appearance for your smile.
• You can speak normally because you have all of your teeth.
• Your facial structure is maintained, and you don’t have as much bone loss from not having teeth in those areas.
• Adjacent teeth to the gap can’t move into those empty spaces and change your bite, causing pain when you eat.

Disadvantages

Though there are many reasons to consider dental bridges, you must also be aware of the disadvantages. These include:

• The results don’t look as natural as implants do.
• We must damage some of your natural teeth that surround the bridge to perform the task.
• Often, the surrounding teeth are more prone to fracture or decay and might require a crown or root canal later.
• Dental bridges don’t last forever, even with proper care. Therefore, you must replace them periodically.
• The crowns used for the surrounding teeth might change their structure and your bite pattern.
• Bridges can collapse if the surrounding teeth aren’t strong enough and can’t support the bridge.
• Your abutment teeth could weaken with time and require replacement with implants later.

When Is a Bridge the Right Choice?

Typically, we recommend that you receive a bridge instead of a dental implant if you’ve already got a dental crown on one of the supporting teeth. However, there are many times where we recommend a bridge, especially for patients who don’t have financial stability and don’t want to have surgery performed.

In effect, some people can’t afford implants, but they want to hide the gap in their smile and protect the jawbone. Other times, medical reasons come into play – everyone isn’t an ideal candidate for implant surgery.

Sometimes, a bridge is required after an extraction or tooth loss from:

• Medication
• Age
• Gum disease
• Severe tooth decay
• Injury and trauma

You may not know if a bridge is right for you, but that’s okay. We can help you choose the right course of action for your missing tooth/teeth and focus solely on your needs and preferences.

Types of Dental Bridges

Many people don’t realize that there are different dental bridge types available. It can help to learn about the four options so that you’re prepared and know which one is best for you. Plus, we are here to help you make the right choice!

Cantilever Bridges

The cantilever bridge is rarely used anymore. Sometimes, though, we do recommend this style. It depends on your situation and requirements. With this option, you have a gap between your teeth and only one natural tooth to support it. Therefore, we can add a crown to that tooth and anchor the bridge on that one crown.

Usually, this type of bridge only lasts for a few years because of the added stress to that natural tooth. Therefore, you can expect to have more dental problems sooner because there is only one tooth. If the only bridge option is the cantilever, we usually recommend implants or partial dentures because those are often better for that particular situation. Still, the choice is yours!

Maryland Bridges

Sometimes, we call Maryland bridges adhesive bridges. Most people prefer them because they’re less invasive. Plus, you get a fake tooth (crown), which is supported by a metal framework.

Typically, these bridges are made using porcelain, and there are “wings” that we bond to your adjacent teeth. That way, everything remains stable.

In most cases, we try to use porcelain for the wings instead of metal. That way, we don’t have to remove as much of the natural tooth. However, we usually offer them for the front teeth only. They might not be strong enough to handle the back teeth. With that, they can shift or loosen easily, even though the bonding material is strong and durable. It’s just that these teeth are used the most.

Implant-Supported Bridges

An implant-supported bridge is entirely supported using dental implants, so there are no metal frameworks or crowns used. You may wonder why you should get a bridge with implant supports because the implant should be enough.

However, there are different implant styles, too. With this option, you have one or two implants put in your jawbone. When they heal, the bridge is placed over them so that you don’t require multiple implants.

It’s a bit cheaper, and it is quite effective. We often recommend them for the back teeth because it’s a stronger option than the others. Plus, it’s ideal for patients who have three missing teeth in a row.

Typically, it saves you money and provides the best support from a bridge and implant point of view.

Traditional Bridges

Traditional bridges are the most common and popular style. With this option, we add dental crowns to the teeth surrounding the gap in your smile. They’re cemented into place so that they don’t shift or come off.

Then, we put one or more false teeth in between them, which are held in place by the crowns on your teeth. Metal and other materials might be used to keep that small string of teeth together. That way, you can eat, smile, and talk without a problem.

Usually, this style works best when you have one missing tooth and two strong, natural teeth beside it.

Though porcelain and ceramic are the most popular, you can choose gold or other metal styles. We often prefer to use them for the back teeth, and they can last forever with the right care.

Choose Ivory Dental for Your Dental Bridge

Typically, when you visit Ivory Dental for a bridge, you require two appointments. During the first one, we shape and file your surrounding teeth for the bridge. It’s painless because we use a local anesthetic. Once we’ve done that, we can make impressions of your teeth so that the dental lab can create your custom bridge.

We often add a temporary bridge over that gap to protect your shaped teeth. Those who choose implant-supported bridges receive their implants at this time.

When the lab sends your new bridge back, you can visit our office for your second appointment. We clean your teeth and ensure that the new bridge fits properly. Then, we bond it together so that you can enjoy life again.

If you require a dental bridge, please call Ivory Dental in Albuquerque. We’re here for you and offer many services to help you create a beautiful smile.