If you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, a dental bridge may be your best restoration option. These appliances fill the gaps in your smile to keep it full and functional. However, there are many implant bridge restorations to choose from, which can make it hard to know which one to choose. At St. Apollonia Dental, we offer free consultations to assess which type of bridge is right for you and your budget. Book your free consultation with us in Sterling Heights, MI, today!
Types of Dental Bridges
A dental bridge replaces several teeth in a row, filling the gap in your smile. But there are a few different types of dental bridges that suit different situations. These bridges include:
- Traditional dental bridges: The most basic form of dental bridge is traditional, which is cemented in place in your mouth to replace up to 3 missing teeth. This restoration uses two dental crowns for support on either side.
- Removable dental bridges: For a more removable bridge option, we may use a partial denture. This bridge replaces multiple teeth. If you need a more affordable removable bridge, we can also provide a “flipper.”
- Cantilever bridges: Similar to a traditional bridge, a cantilever bridge uses crowns for support. But instead of two crowns, this restoration uses only one crown and can replace only one missing tooth.
- Maryland bridges: For patients who don’t have healthy teeth to support a dental bridge, we offer Maryland bridges. These restorations rely on metal “wings” or clasps that attach to adjacent teeth.
- Implant bridges: If you’re looking for a stronger restoration that feels like natural teeth, we recommend implant bridges. These replacement teeth use implants for support, rather than crowns or clasps.
The best bridge type for your smile depends on your specific situation and budget.
Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge is one of the most common solutions that patients turn to after tooth loss. This restoration replaces more than one missing tooth while using your healthy teeth on either side for support.
A dental bridge includes pontics, or replacement teeth that are bonded together, to fill the gaps in your smile. Then we attach dental crowns at both ends of these pontics to support the bridge. We place these crowns over the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap, creating a strong foundation for the pontics to rely on.
These crowns are cemented in place, making the bridge non-removable. But traditional bridges need healthy teeth for support.
Placing dental crowns involves removing a portion of enamel on all sides of your tooth to make room for the crown. But once you remove enamel, it will never grow back. The dental bridge process is a permanent one, and it involves permanently altering your healthy teeth.
While traditional dental bridges are a reliable solution, they’re not always the best choice for every patient.
Implant Bridge
Implant-supported bridges rely on dental implants for support. These titanium posts anchor inside your jawbone, creating a strong foundation for replacement teeth.
At St. Apollonia, we use conventional implants to replace two missing teeth at a time. This means that one implant can support a two-pontic bridge, and two conventional implants can replace four teeth in total.
With an implant restoration, you don’t need to alter healthy teeth! The implants support your pontics, avoiding the need for dental crowns.
However, not everyone is eligible for implant treatment. To support dental implants, patients need ample bone. But those with tooth loss often experience bone loss as well, making them ineligible for implant treatment without additional procedures.
Fortunately, we can use mini dental implants as well! These titanium posts are much smaller than conventional implants, and therefore they need significantly less bone support. For patients ineligible for conventional implant treatment, mini implants may be a way to restore your smile without all the hassle!
We use these mini implants to support a bridge of pontics, restoring your smile and keeping it functional. During your free consultation with us, we will review your options and determine if you’re eligible for implant treatment.
Implant Bridge vs. Traditional Bridge: Which Is Right for You?
Missing multiple teeth in a row can significantly disrupt your everyday life. Dental bridges are one of the most common ways to replace missing teeth. But there are multiple different types of bridges, and it can be hard to know which one suits your case best. Book a free consultation at St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI, to learn whether a conventional bridge, conventional implant bridge, or mini implant bridge is the right solution for your smile.
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