Types of Dental Bridges Used in Calgary

Tooth replacement and restoration is a fundamental part of dentistry. Unfortunately, people are still losing their teeth, even with improved modern dentistry. Dental experts have done a great deal of good work to come up with a variety of ways of handling patients’ needs. Today, you have several alternatives for replacing teeth. While some choose dental implants and dentures, today we tell you why dental bridges in Calgary, AB is important for tooth restoration.

What Are Dental Bridges?

They are appliances used to replace missing teeth. They usually feature an artificial tooth and dental crowns to hold it in place. They work great for replacing a single tooth or two. Dental bridges in Calgary are the best alternative for when you do not need all your teeth replaced. They are also great for temporal restorations, as compared to implants where there is no turning back.

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

For any dental bridges near you, you will find that the technique works the same. The dentist takes impressions of your teeth. The impressions are necessary as a measurement for the best-fitted dental bridges. He/she will then use the impressions to manufacture an artificial tooth and dental crowns for your bridge.

Technically, the artificial tooth cannot be inserted in your mouth on its own. It requires support. This is for the dental crowns are for. They sandwich the artificial tooth, which is commonly called a pontic. After that, the bridge is complete and ready for installation. Even then, there are different types of dental bridges. And they may work using a different concept.

Different Types of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges come in three main types. The types work differently, which is important, especially for back and front teeth. The types are:

• Traditional bridges – these are the most popular ones. They are a typical kind that consists of two dental crowns and a pontic. The traditional bridges have been used for the longest time now, for restoring the back teeth. This is their strength because there is ample support for the artificial tooth sandwiched between two dental crowns. However, it only works if you still have your adjacent teeth in place. This means they if you have multiple missing teeth in a row, traditional bridges will not work for you.

• Cantilever dental bridge – they are similar to traditional bridges. The only difference is that they can be supported by only one dental crown. This makes them very resourceful when you do not have two adjacent teeth that can support the abutment tooth. However, they may not be as sturdy as traditional bridges.

• Maryland dental bridges – they are the rarest kind. They feature a metal framework that holds the abutment tooth in place. Technically, you would still need two adjacent teeth on either side of the missing tooth. The two sides support the artificial tooth, only this time, with a metal framework. In some instances, Maryland dental bridges can use porcelain instead of metal. For this reason, this type of dental bridge is favorable for front teeth replacement. Besides, they are not as strong as traditional dental bridges, to befit the back teeth.

While those are the three main types of dental bridges, another exists. This one is more invasive than the rest of them all. It also has an overriding advantage of permanency.

• Implant-supported dental bridges – they include the use of dental implants. Technically, you cannot get your teeth replaced with dental bridges if they are missing in a row. However, if this is your situation, your dentist can recommend implant-supported bridges. These include the use of a dental implant as the support to the dental bridge. Depending on how many missing teeth you have, dental implants can be inserted strategically. However, for this treatment, you will have to wait a while before your implanted sites are well-healed enough to hold the bridges in place.

Summary

You have a ton of alternatives for replacing your missing tooth. The only thing you need is to consult your dentist about your options. From there, you can deliberate over what matters more to you. As mentioned above, the different types of dental bridges will bring forth different advantages. Consider them carefully before picking one side.