From types and materials to the all-important question of longevity, get ready to uncover the secrets of a durable dental bridge.
Welcome to Molonglo Dental Surgery’s comprehensive guide on dental bridges – those invaluable structures that fill gaps with false teeth, ensuring your smile remains complete. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of dental bridges, exploring their types, the procedure involved, and most importantly, addressing the burning question – how long can you expect your dental bridge to last?
What’s a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge, a vital tool in tooth replacement, is a crafted device designed to fill the void left by missing teeth. The bridge incorporates false teeth, known as pontics, secured by attachment to adjacent teeth known as abutment teeth. In certain cases, dental crowns may be necessary for capping the abutment teeth, depending on the bridge type.
How Long Does It Last?
Dental bridges, a common remedy for missing teeth, boast an average lifespan of five to seven years, aligning conveniently with the recommended dental check-up intervals. The duration varies based on the bridge type and materials employed, influencing the overall longevity.
Materials and type of dental bridge: Diverse bridge types contribute to dental restoration, with materials playing a pivotal role in their endurance. Traditional bridges, featuring a pontic tooth supported by porcelain wings, typically last up to seven years. However, diligent care is essential, as decay in surrounding teeth can necessitate earlier replacement. Meanwhile, implant-supported bridges may extend their lifespan to fifteen years, contingent on the quality of dental implants and attentive care.
Understanding Costs: Financial considerations come into play, with traditional bridges generally offering a more cost-effective option compared to implant-supported counterparts. The latter may incur additional expenses due to intricate materials and additional dental visits. Proper maintenance becomes paramount to safeguard your investment and minimise the risk of decay or damage.
Regular dental check-ups emerge as pivotal guardians of your bridge’s longevity, ensuring both functional resilience and an enduring, aesthetically pleasing smile.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dive into the diverse world of dental bridges, from traditional options like fixed or removable bridges to innovative choices like implant-supported bridges. Each type caters to specific needs, ensuring a tailored solution for every patient.
The four main types of dental bridge include:
- Traditional Dental Bridge: The traditional dental bridge, a popular choice, involves false teeth anchored by dental crowns cemented onto abutment teeth. Ideal when natural teeth flank the gap, it provides a reliable solution.
- Cantilever Dental Bridge: Similar to the traditional bridge, the cantilever bridge secures the pontic with a dental crown cemented to a single abutment tooth. Perfect for cases with only one natural tooth adjacent to the gap.
- Maryland Dental Bridge: In Maryland bridges, a framework of metal or porcelain bonds to two natural abutment teeth. Differing from traditional bridges, it’s a more conservative approach, relying on a framework instead of crowns.
- Utilising dental implants instead of crowns or frameworks, this type surgically places implants for missing teeth. Each implant supports the bridge, and in some cases, a pontic is suspended between two implant-supported crowns.
- Implant-supported bridges: Utilising dental implants rather than traditional crowns or frameworks, stand out for their strength and stability. Typically, each missing tooth is addressed with a surgically placed implant, providing robust support for the bridge.
- If placing an implant for every missing tooth isn’t feasible, an alternative involves suspending a pontic between two implant-supported crowns.
Why Do You Need a Dental Bridge?
Understanding the necessity of dental bridges is crucial. Whether due to an accident, decay, or a failed root-canal filling, the gap left by a missing tooth can lead to issues beyond aesthetics, impacting your bite and oral health.
A dental bridge goes beyond aesthetic enhancements; it’s a functional solution to bridge gaps and ensure oral well-being. While the procedure involves multiple steps, the results are worth the investment. For personalised insights, consult with our knowledgeable dentists at Molonglo Dental Surgery, ensuring a thorough assessment and a tailored treatment plan for your unique case.
Looking for a Canberra dentist for your Dental Bridge? Molonglo Dental Surgery can help.
If you’re experiencing gaps in your teeth and would like to find out more about our Dental Bridge Services, book an appointment with our Friendly Canberra Dentist in Molonglo Valley – contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
