A beautiful, healthy smile is not just based on the pearly white appearance of your natural teeth. It can also be affected by missing teeth, gaps between your teeth, broken teeth, and other cosmetic issues.

If you are dealing with a missing tooth caused by gum disease, tooth decay, an oral injury, or a congenital condition, you may be a candidate for a cosmetic dentistry procedure known as a dental bridge.

At the Edmonton, AB, dental office of Dr. Molly Rodgers, our friendly and experienced dental staff can help determine if your oral health situation makes you a candidate for dental bridges. We are happy to discuss the types of dental bridges that are available, the process of getting a dental bridge, and the many benefits of eliminating unsightly gaps in your smile.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A traditional dental bridge is a dental device that is designed to fill in the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. There are crowns placed on abutment teeth located on either side of the missing teeth, and then the false teeth are cemented into place.

For you to possibly get a dental bridge treatment, the abutment teeth on either side of the gap need to be strong and healthy since they will be providing the needed support for the false tooth.

When a gap in your natural teeth is left unfilled, the adjacent teeth may begin to move to fill in the empty space. This might cause pain and discomfort in your jaw, difficulty chewing or biting, and reduced self-esteem since the surrounding teeth are moving out of place. The dental bridge procedure works to prevent these issues and restore your smile.

Types of Dental Bridges

There are four main types of dental bridges that are available to patients who are good candidates for them. These include:

  • Traditional fixed bridge: Is the most common permanent bridge made of metal, porcelain fused to metal or ceramics. The filler teeth are held in place by dental crowns.
  • Cantilever bridge: In cantilever bridges, the artificial tooth is connected to only one abutment tooth. The cantilever dental bridge is a good option for people who do not have strong teeth on both sides of the gap.
  • Maryland dental bridge: This is a resin-bonded bridge ideal for those who are missing front teeth. In general, they are made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramic artificial teeth, and the whole device is supported by a metal framework.
  • Implant-supported bridges: These are very similar to the traditional bridges, but they are held in place by dental implants rather than teeth cemented into place.

Dr. Molly Rodgers and her dental staff in Edmonton, AB, are more than happy to discuss the differences in detail with you concerning each of these types and will determine which is the right option for you.

How Can Dental Bridges Help Patients with Missing Teeth?

First of all, the most important factor to consider when deciding if a dental bridge is right for you is the consequences that the gap will have on the rest of your teeth and your jaw. As the teeth work together and move to make up for the missing teeth, there will be unnecessary pain and stress on your jaw and other teeth.

It will eventually be very difficult to live with this since biting, chewing, talking, and other tooth-based activities will be painful. Patients who have traditional bridges placed find pain relief and increased self-confidence since the gaps are no longer there.

Again, the abutment teeth need to be strong enough to support the dental bridges. If they are not, your dentist may suggest a dental implant instead.

Difference between Dental Bridges and Dental Implants

The major difference between dental bridges and dental implants is that an implant does not need to be supported by the surrounding teeth. Instead, an artificial tooth custom-made in a dental laboratory is surgically implanted into your jaw bone. Eventually, the implant integrates into the jaw and becomes connected to your existing teeth.

Dental implants are especially useful for those whose natural teeth are not strong enough to support the dental bridge. They can replace missing teeth very well and are designed to match your healthy teeth.

It is important to remember, though, that implants require a surgical procedure in order to replace the natural tooth that you are missing. The permanent bridge can be placed without surgery and will blend with your remaining teeth just as well.

Are You Embarrassed by a Missing Tooth or Teeth? Contact Dr. Molly Rodgers to Learn about the Benefits of Dental Bridges

If you are a resident of St. Albert, AB, and you are dealing with an unsightly gap in your smile created by missing natural teeth, contact the experienced dental office of Dr. Molly Rodgers. Our team is well-versed in a wide variety of cosmetic dental procedures, and we will be able to determine if your oral situation can benefit from a dental bridge.

We have years of experience and wide knowledge of general and cosmetic dental procedures, so you can rest assured that your teeth and gums will be in very good and capable hands. In addition to dental bridges, we can also provide services, including root canal therapy, dentures, and metal-free restorations, among others.

Our dental team is committed to providing the highest quality dental care for you and your entire family. We strive to help all of our patients learn good oral hygiene to help prevent tooth decay and the need for other oral health care procedures.

Contact us today to learn more about all of your dental bridge options as well as the proper care of your supporting teeth. We understand that regularly visiting the dentist can be frightening, but we strive to make it the most welcoming and pleasant experience possible.

Call now to book an appointment for you or any member of your family!

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