Main Types of Dental Bridges, Their Cost & Benefits

What are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that bridge the gap created by missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth (pontics) supported by adjacent teeth or dental implants. By filling in the gaps, dental bridges restore the smile, improve the ability to chew and speak, and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.

Dental bridges can be a reliable and aesthetically pleasing solution to restore your smile if you’re missing one or more teeth. In this blog, we will provide an overview of dental bridges, explore the reasons why they are necessary, and delve into the main types available. Additionally, we will discuss the benefits and costs associated with each type, empowering you to make an informed decision about your dental health.

Why Do You Need Dental Bridges?

• Improved Aesthetic Appearance: Dental bridges in Pflugerville, TX enhance your smile by filling in gaps and restoring a natural-looking tooth structure.
• Restored Chewing Function: Missing teeth can make it challenging to chew food properly. Dental bridges enable you to enjoy your favorite foods and maintain a balanced diet.
• Speech Improvement: Gaps caused by missing teeth can affect your speech. Dental bridges help restore clear speech and proper pronunciation.
• Maintaining Facial Shape: Tooth loss can lead to sagging facial muscles, causing a prematurely aged appearance. Dental bridges provide support to maintain the natural shape of your face.
• Preventing Teeth Shifting: When a tooth is missing, adjacent teeth may shift or tilt into the empty space. Dental bridges prevent these movements, maintaining the alignment of your teeth.

What are the Major Types of Dental Bridges?

Here are the major types of tooth bridges:

Traditional Dental Bridges

• Overview:

Traditional bridges consist of pontics held in place by tooth crowns on the adjacent teeth. They are the most common type of dental bridge.

• Benefits of Traditional Dental Bridges:

– Natural-looking and stable
– Traditional bridges restore functionality and aesthetics
– They are durable and last for many years with proper care.

• Cost of Traditional Dental Bridges:

Traditional bridges range differ per tooth, depending on the materials used and the complexity of the case.

Cantilever Dental Bridges

• Overview:

Cantilever bridges are used when only one adjacent tooth is available to support the pontic. The pontic is anchored to one side.

• Benefits of Cantilever Dental Bridges:

– Cantilever bridges are suitable when there is a single supporting tooth next to the gap.
– They are less invasive than traditional bridges as only one adjacent tooth is involved.

• Cost of Cantilever Dental Bridges:

The cost of cantilever is almost similar to traditional bridges.

Maryland Dental Bridges (Resin-Bonded Bridges)

• Overview:

Maryland bridges consist of a pontic with metal or porcelain wings bonded to the back of adjacent teeth. They are a conservative option.

• Benefits of Maryland Dental Bridges:

– Maryland bridges require minimal preparation of adjacent teeth and offer a reversible solution.
– They provide good aesthetics and can be an excellent choice for certain cases.

• Cost Range of Maryland Dental Bridges:

The cost range of Maryland dental bridges tends to be more affordable compared to traditional options, making them a cost-effective choice for many patients.

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

• Overview:

Implant-supported bridges use dental implants as anchors for the pontics, providing stability and preventing bone loss. They are the most advanced and long-lasting option.

• Benefits:

– Implant-supported bridges offer excellent stability and function similar to natural teeth
– They promote jaw bone health and do not require adjacent teeth to be involved.

• Cost Range:

Implant-supported bridges are generally more expensive than other types of bridges due to the additional placement of dental implants, making them a premium choice for tooth replacement.

Get Tooth Bridges Near You

Dental bridges are versatile solutions for restoring your smile and improving oral functionality. Traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, Maryland bridges, and implant-supported bridges have unique benefits and cost considerations.

By consulting with our experienced tooth bridge dentist near Windemere at The Grand Family Dental, get the ideal solution for dental bridges in Pflugerville, TX, that will fit your budget and provide the long-term results you desire. Get your confidence back and enjoy the benefits of a complete and healthy smile with dental bridges!