A dental bridge is designed to ‘bridge’ the gap left by one or more missing teeth originally next to each other. It consists of two dental crowns and pontics or replacement teeth.

Are There Different Dental Bridges?

Yes, the one most often prescribed is a traditional bridge, using a tooth on each side of the gap for support. It is a very stable restoration.

Traditional Bridge

The crowns fit over these teeth, called abutment teeth and must be reshaped to accommodate the crowns comfortably so they don’t look and feel too large and unnatural. The pontic or pontics are attached between the crowns. Each pontic is designed to look like a real tooth and rests on the gum underneath.

However, two other types of bridges may be suggested in certain circumstances. These are:

• Cantilever bridge
• Maryland bridge

Cantilever Bridge

Instead of using a tooth on either side of the gap for support, a cantilever bridge is ‘cantilevered’ off just one or two teeth on the same side. It might be an option if the teeth on one side of the gap are missing or are not strong enough to support a dental bridge.

These bridges are not quite as stable as traditional bridges but can be suitable for replacing front teeth where they do not come under as much stress as back teeth when chewing food.

Maryland Bridge

These bridges are quite different, using wings cemented on the inner surfaces of teeth instead of crowns to support the pontic between them. Although a Maryland bridge in Clarington is minimally invasive, requiring little or no tooth preparation, these bridges are relatively fragile.

Generally, a Maryland bridge is only used to restore a small lower front tooth or another small tooth that doesn’t receive any significant pressure during biting. It wouldn’t be suitable for restoring back teeth.

What are Bridges Made From?

We can custom-make your new bridge using a variety of materials. They can be made from gold alloy polished to a high sheen, but this material is very visible in the mouth. A thin metal alloy substructure covered with porcelain is a more discreet option.

If aesthetics is important, you might want an all-ceramic bridge in Newcastle. These can be made from porcelain or zirconia. A zirconia bridge is the strongest material available and suitable for anywhere in the mouth. Porcelain bridges still have good strength but are more suitable when restoring front teeth, and they can look amazing.

What If I Don’t Have Teeth to Support a Bridge?

Sometimes, the abutment teeth are missing entirely or are not strong enough to support a dental bridge. In this case, we may suggest you see our implant dentist in Courtice. An implant bridge uses dental implants instead of natural teeth for support. Dental implants are a much more sophisticated process and take longer to complete, but they are a long-term solution for tooth loss.

The dental implants must be inserted into your jaw during a short surgical procedure. They soon fuse with the jawbone surrounding them, forming a strong anchorage point that can be restored with an implant crown, bridge, or denture.

If you are facing tooth loss or have a gap in your smile, a dental bridge can often be a good solution. However, the abutment teeth do need to be strong and healthy enough to support a dental bridge successfully. Otherwise, we can discuss other options, including dental implants, when you visit West Bowmanville Family Dental.