The Importance of Dental Bridges

A complete, healthy smile is essential for both oral health and self-confidence. When a tooth is lost or missing, it can affect your ability to bite, chew, and speak properly. Fortunately, dental bridges offer an effective solution for replacing missing teeth. At Silver Summit Dental, dental bridges are custom-made restorations designed to bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They consist of one or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, held in place by dental crowns attached to the adjacent teeth or dental implants. Dental bridges are created to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

Types of Dental Bridges

Traditional Bridge

This is the most common type of bridge and consists of one or more replacement teeth anchored to healthy, adjacent teeth using dental crowns. The crowns are attached to the healthy teeth with bonding material or cement to secure them. This type of bridge is made of metal, porcelain fused to metal, ceramics, or a combination of these materials.

Maryland Bridge

This is similar to a cantilever bridge but uses two conservative wings instead of one to provide more support and stability to the restoration.

Cantilever Bridge

This type of bridge is ideal for replacing one or two teeth in the rear of the mouth where only one tooth exists on either side of a gap that needs to be filled. Instead of anchoring the replacement tooth to existing healthy teeth like a traditional bridge, a crown is placed on the teeth sitting on either side of the gap to support the artificial tooth.

Implant-Supported Bridge

Titanium posts are placed in your jaw to anchor the bridge. These posts are surgically implanted into your jawbone below your gums and secured into place. Then, the crowns are connected to these posts to create the new arch of your teeth.

The Benefits of Dental Bridges

Restored Smile and Confidence

Dental bridges fill in the gaps left by missing teeth, restoring the appearance of a complete smile. Bridges can boost your self-esteem and confidence by replacing missing teeth, allowing you to smile, speak, and interact with others without hesitation.

Improved Chewing and Speech

Missing teeth can make it challenging to bite and chew properly, impacting your ability to enjoy various foods. Dental bridges restore your ability to chew effectively, improving digestion and overall nutrition. Additionally, bridges help maintain proper speech patterns, preventing any speech impediments caused by tooth loss.

Maintained Facial Structure

When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth can shift and cause changes in the facial structure, leading to sagging or premature aging. Dental bridges prevent this shifting by filling the gaps, helping maintain natural facial contours, and preserving a youthful appearance.

Dental bridges provide a reliable and aesthetically pleasing solution for replacing missing teeth. If you have missing teeth, visit Silver Summit Dental at 5734 W 13400 S, Herriman, UT 84096, or call (801) 542-0998 to determine if dental bridges are the right option.