Did You Know That There's More Than One Type Of Dental Implant? | Dr. Alex Midtown NYC Cosmetic Dentist

Did You Know That There’s More Than One Type Of Dental Implant?

There’s no shame in having missing teeth. According to the American Dental Association, the average adult between 20 and 64 years old has three decayed or missing teeth. The good news about being within that category is that you should generally be able to find good services (just ask your friends for recommendations!), and also, you have many options for replacing teeth, without having to do the usual type of dental implant. One of these options are called dental bridges, which might be your preferred option if you don’t want an invasive treatment like the usual dental implants, and especially if you have more than one missing tooth to be replaced. In this article, we are going to find out more about dental bridges and the various types that you can use.

Traditional Dental Bridges

Most of the time, people would get traditional dental bridges. Traditional dental bridges are made up of one or more false teeth, known as pontics, and are held in place by dental crowns, also known as abutments. These crowns will be cemented onto the teeth adjacent to the gap in your smile. Traditional bridges are used when you have healthy, natural teeth on both sides of your missing teeth. The good thing about traditional bridges is that they are strong enough to replace your trusty molars. The unfortunate part is that your dentist will have to prepare your adjacent teeth by removing the enamel on them in order to install the crowns on top. This enamel will not grow back, so your teeth will always need to be protected with crowns in future, even if you change to a different type of dental implant.

Maryland Bridges

A conservative alternative to traditional bridges, Maryland bridges are offered to individuals who loathe the idea of having their healthy teeth stripped of enamel. Instead of connecting the pontic with abutments as in the traditional dental bridge, the Maryland bridge holds the pontic in place by a metal or porcelain framework which is bonded onto the backs of the abutments instead, thus negating the need for crowns. However, Maryland bridges do have their downside, in particular in terms of how securely they will hold in areas of the mouth where teeth are constantly used to chew, like for molars. The resin may not be strong enough to withstand the constant pressure, and the framework may also get in the way of your bite.

Cantilever Bridges

Like traditional dental bridges, cantilever bridges work in a similar way by attaching false teeth onto dental crowns. However, the difference is that the pontic is supported by an abutment on only one side, as opposed to two like with the traditional dental bridge. This is ideal for missing teeth where there is only one natural tooth adjacent to the gap, such as at the back of your mouth. The issue with these cantilever bridges though is that as they are only supported on one side, they may act as a lever, and possibly lead to complications like fractured teeth or loosened crowns.

These are the non-invasive types of dental bridges available for patients seeking treatment. Find out more about seeking dental treatment from a top-rated expert in the NYC area today.

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