In the field of dentistry, a dental bridge is one of the recommended ways to bridge the gap between teeth that resulted from one or more extracted or lost teeth. Bridges are commonly comprised of crowns on each side of the gap which are known as abutment or anchoring teeth. The gap is then filled with one or more false teeth. As fixed prosthetics, bridges and crowns are cemented onto implants or the remaining teeth, thereby bridging the gap left by the missing tooth. Now you can smile again. The loss of a tooth can affect your overall confidence but with dental bridges, regaining the cosmetic appeal is important.

Types of Dental Bridges

When it comes to dental bridges procedures in St. Louis, the patient has three basic choices when determining the particular prosthetic to address their specific needs. You also have a choice of materials to construct the bridge out of. The most common are metal and porcelain. However, modern dental technology has seen the introduction of stronger materials such as “alumina” and “zirconia.” Your cosmetic dentist will discuss your options with you before starting the procedure.

In the field of cosmetic dentistry today, there are 3 types of dental bridges to choose from depending on what the patient needs. These include:

• Cantilever bridge – this similar to the fixed bridge (see below) in that the bridge is bonded to an adjacent tooth in order to set it into place. However, it is only bonded to a single tooth instead of two.

• Fixed bridge – by connecting a false tooth to a crown on each side and cementing it to the adjacent teeth for support, the bridge fills the gap left behind by a missing tooth or teeth. These dental bridges prosthetics are not removable.

• Maryland bridge – these bridges are more commonly used to improve the appearance of a person’s front teeth. This is a resin-bonded bridge that is attached to the false tooth using metal or porcelain wings.

Cosmetic dentists will determine where and how the bridge should be placed as well as what type will best address the patient’s needs.

Benefits of Dental Bridges

There are a number of benefits that the patient will enjoy when selecting dental bridges in St. Louis over other prosthetics. Not only will they strengthen damaged teeth, they can improve the alignment, appearance, bite, and shape of your teeth. By filling gaps in between teeth with dental bridges and crowns, you prevent any shifting from occurring and having to deal with improper biting.

While crowns are typically used to cover or reinforce damaged or decayed teeth, your dentist may also recommend them for covering a tooth that has undergone a root canal or ones that are discolored and poorly shaped. He or she may also recommend crowns for protecting a weaker tooth so it doesn’t fracture as well as replacing large fillings or restoring a broken tooth.