Dr. Richard M. Sigismondi DMD provides dental bridges in West Sayville, NY. Our dental office offers a trusted restorative dentistry solution to replace missing teeth and restore your complete smile. Call to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Missing one or more teeth is common for many people.
The ADA reports that on average adult patients may have three missing or decayed teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury are common reasons many patients lose natural teeth, and missing teeth can affect your bite, your appearance, and even cause pain or discomfort over time. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions to replace missing teeth, including dental bridges, dental implants, and partial dentures. A bridge may be used to restore an area with one or more adjacent missing teeth and close the gap between remaining teeth. A bridge has two primary components. The abutments (or supports) for the bridge are created by placing a crown on either a natural tooth or an implant. The synthetic tooth that replaces the missing tooth is called a pontic. In the case of one missing tooth, the two teeth on either side will be prepped for crowns and the missing tooth will be replaced with a synthetic tooth that is connected to the crowns on either side of the missing tooth. In the case of several adjacent missing teeth, one or more implants may provide the abutment.
There are four main types of dental bridges:
Traditional Dental Bridge
This is the most common type of dental bridge. The existing teeth are crowned with one or more pontics between and held in place by the crowned abutments. The crowns are cemented onto the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth to create a support structure or “bridge” for the missing teeth. Traditional bridges rely on dental crowns placed over the natural teeth on either side of the gap and are commonly crafted from materials such as porcelain for a natural appearance that blends with the surrounding healthy teeth.
Cantilever Bridge
This type of bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, except that the structure is supported on only one side instead of both sides. This can cause the restoration to act as a “lever” and may create additional stress on the supporting tooth, causing it to be more likely to loosen or fracture.
Implant Supported Bridge
Instead of using existing teeth to support a bridge, a dental implant may be substituted to provide support for one or both sides of a dental bridge. This is a popular option that can provide a very secure restoration. This solution is particularly helpful when there are several adjacent missing teeth.
Maryland Bridge
This type of bridge is supported by a metal structure that is cemented onto the back of existing teeth. While not as strong as a traditional bridge, it can preserve the tooth structure of the adjacent teeth by avoiding the use of crowns for the abutments. It may not stay in place when heavy forces are placed on the restoration (such as biting and chewing) and does add pressure to the supporting teeth.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
A properly fitted dental bridge offers a full range of benefits for your oral health and overall appearance. The right bridge can help you bite, chew, and speak comfortably, prevent remaining teeth from shifting into the empty space, maintain the shape of your mouth, and hide the gap left by a missing tooth — supporting long term oral health and a complete smile. Dr. Sigismondi, your West Sayville dentist, will discuss the best treatment for you during your consultation and explain the procedure, materials, and what to expect so you feel comfortable every step of the way.