When Is a Dental Bridge the Best Option?

Having one or more missing teeth can be a serious problem, both for your smile and your overall oral health. Fortunately, there are several options that can correct this issue, such as implants and bridges. However, you may not know which option would be the best for you.

If you have missing teeth, Robert A. Scherrer, DMD, of Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood in Ridgewood, New Jersey, can guide you through your treatment options. He’s brought advanced dental care to New Jersey for more than 35 years, and he’s been a Top Dentist for five years in a row.

Here’s what you should know about a dental bridge and when it could be your best option.

Dental bridge basics

A dental bridge refers to a treatment that replaces missing teeth by “bridging” the gap in your smile. Dentists can use bridges to replace a single missing tooth or several, and that’s because there are different types of dental bridges that solve specific issues.

Traditional dental bridge

This design tends to get used most often. Dr. Scherrer might use this treatment if you have a gap in your teeth with two natural teeth in good condition on each side. With this type of bridge, the teeth on each side of the gap have crowns placed on them, and these crowns support the false tooth in the middle.

Cantilever dental bridge

This dental bridge shares similarities with a traditional bridge, but this kind only uses one natural tooth for support. In this case, a crown is placed on a tooth by the gap, and the crown supports the false tooth. This option is ideal for areas of the mouth where you only have one tooth next to the missing one.

Maryland dental bridge

These types of bridges still use your natural teeth for support. However, these bridges are usually only for the front teeth. Furthermore, while the false tooth fills in the gap, wings are attached to the false tooth, which are affixed to the backs of the teeth on either side.

Implant-supported bridge

Finally, you can get a bridge that’s supported by dental implants. This option is best if you’re missing three or more teeth in a row. With this option, two titanium posts are inserted into the jawbone, one on each side of the gap. These posts are then capped with crowns. Furthermore, these posts support the false teeth that fill in the gap between the posts.

When to consider a dental bridge

The most obvious reason to get a dental bridge involves replacing missing teeth. However, additional factors can make this an ideal solution compared to other options. Reasons to get a dental bridge can include:

• Your age
• The size of the gap and the number of missing teeth
• The health of your surrounding teeth — and if you have them
• Your personal preferences

Your oral health, including jawbone health, also plays a big role when considering your tooth replacement options. Fortunately, you don’t have to decide on your own; that’s where Dr. Scherrer can help. After performing a comprehensive exam and discussing your overall goals, he can explain the best options to address your missing teeth based on your unique needs. 

Do you have missing teeth? To learn more about bridges and your other restoration options, call 201-670-0670 or book an appointment online with Advanced Dental Care of Ridgewood today.