Losing a tooth can significantly disrupt your life. If you lose several teeth, you might see an even greater impact on your oral function and the appearance of your smile. Your dentist can recommend a few different options to replace your missing teeth and restore and enhance your smile.
If you want to replace three or more missing teeth in a row, your dentist may suggest that you receive a dental bridge. But there are different kinds of bridges that can help you in several ways. Read on to learn about three types of dental bridges that your dentist might recommend to restore your smile after tooth loss.
Partial Removable Dentures
Some patients seek an oral appliance that they can take out of their mouth when not needed to replace their missing teeth. Dentists can construct customized partial dentures for these individuals.
These devices feature several prosthetic teeth attached to an acrylic base with a metal framework. The frame connects with your remaining teeth to support the dentures and ensure they stay in place.
This way, you can smile with confidence and with a reduced chance of slippage. Though this is an affordable tooth replacement option, patients should note that removable dentures need maintenance beyond the usual oral hygiene routine. They will likely need replacement every five years or so.
Traditional Fixed Dental Bridges
The traditional dental bridge is a fixed oral appliance, meaning a patient cannot remove the device on their own. A dentist will secure the bridge into place within two sessions.
First, the dentist will prepare the adjacent teeth, or abutment teeth, beside the gap the bridge will fill. This involves shaving a minute amount of enamel from the teeth to make room for the bridge prosthetic. The dentist then takes an impression of the patient’s smile so that they can build the custom dental bridge.
When it is ready, the patient returns to the dentist’s office to have the bridge attached. They place the crowns at each end of the bridge over the abutment teeth and secure them with dental cement. The appliance then stays in place for fifteen years with proper care.
Patients will appreciate that they can perform less everyday maintenance for this device. They will also not have to worry about the bridge slipping out of place at an inopportune moment.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
The type of bridge that offers the most comprehensive restorative benefits is the implant-supported bridge. This is another fixed dental bridge that utilizes titanium post anchors that a dentist surgically places into the patient’s jaw. It uses two anchors: one for each end of the bridge prosthetic.
The anchors fuse to the jawbone for optimal support of the bridge. This may take a few months to heal, but the patient can feel confident in the security and effectiveness of this tooth replacement. The anchors also preserve the jaw, teeth, and facial structure, which treatments that only replace teeth above the gumline cannot accomplish.
How do I know which type of dental bridge is best for me?
The best bridge type depends on your specific situation and several key factors. Traditional bridges work well when you have healthy teeth on both sides of the gap to support the restoration. Cantilever bridges might be appropriate when you only have a supporting tooth on one side of the space.
Maryland bridges offer a more conservative option that requires minimal adjacent tooth alteration. Implant-supported bridges provide the most stable, long-term solution, but they require surgical placement and a sufficient bone structure. Your dentist will evaluate your mouth, budget, and preferences before recommending the most suitable option.
What is the average lifespan of each type of dental bridge?
Traditional bridges typically last 5-15 years with proper care and maintenance. Maryland bonded bridges generally have a shorter lifespan of about 5-8 years due to their less robust attachment method. Implant-supported bridges offer the longest durability, often lasting 15-20 years or even a lifetime with proper care.
Factors affecting longevity include your oral hygiene practices, diet, bite forces, and how regularly you attend checkups. Some patients see their bridges last significantly longer than average when they maintain excellent oral hygiene and avoid harmful habits.
Can I eat normally with a dental bridge?
You can eat most foods with a dental bridge after a brief adjustment period of a few days. Initially, start with softer foods and gradually reintroduce more challenging items as you become comfortable. Cut larger or harder foods into smaller pieces to reduce stress on your bridge.
Avoid extremely sticky foods like caramel that might dislodge your restoration. With implant-supported bridges, you’ll experience the closest thing to natural chewing function since they’re anchored directly in your jawbone.
How many missing teeth can a dental bridge realistically replace?
A traditional dental bridge can typically replace 1-3 missing teeth effectively, depending on the stability of your supporting teeth. Longer spans become increasingly unstable and put excessive pressure on the anchor teeth. Implant-supported bridges can replace more teeth—even a full arch—because implants provide stronger support than natural teeth. For significant tooth loss, we often recommend placing strategic implants to support longer bridges rather than relying solely on natural teeth for support.
Can I switch from a removable partial denture to a fixed bridge later on?
Yes, you can switch from a removable partial denture to a fixed bridge later if your oral health supports it. Many patients start with a partial denture as an affordable temporary solution while saving for a more permanent option. We will need to evaluate whether your supporting teeth remain strong enough for a traditional bridge. The supporting teeth must be free from decay and have adequate bone support. Some patients ultimately choose implant-supported bridges after wearing removable partials for years.
Do I need to have healthy teeth on either side of the gap for a traditional bridge?
Yes, traditional bridges absolutely require healthy, stable teeth on both sides of the gap to serve as anchors. These anchor teeth need adequate root structure and bone support to handle the additional forces from supporting the bridge. Potential anchor teeth might not provide sufficient support if they have large fillings, root canals, or periodontal disease.
When adjacent teeth aren’t strong enough for a traditional bridge, alternatives like implants or Maryland bridges might be better options. Your dentist carefully evaluates the condition of neighboring teeth before recommending a traditional bridge.