Dental Bridges in Sacramento, CA
What are dental bridges?
When one or more of your teeth are missing, your dentist will most probably use dental bridges to treat this. Dental bridges are, as the name suggests, a common dental treatment that literally bridges gaps between a patient’s missing teeth. A dental bridge consists of mainly two parts – pontics and abutment teeth. Pontics refers to the artificial teeth that are placed to fill the gap, while abutment teeth refer to the dental crowns that hold the pontics in place on both sides of the gap.
Pontics, also known as artificial or replacement teeth may be made from different materials like porcelain, silver amalgam, alloys, or a combination of these materials. When a patient is treated using dental bridges, the dentist can use either their natural teeth for support or implants may have to be used. At Arden Park Dental Care, the dentist will first carefully examine and consult with you, letting you know your best choice for treatment based on your individual condition.
Are you a candidate for a dental bridge?
If you identify with any of the below statements, you may be a suitable candidate for a dental bridge.
● You wish to restore a tooth that that has been fractured● You wish to replace a filling but you do not have enough remaining tooth● You wish to protect a tooth that could easily fracture● You wish to cover up a dental implant● You wish to cover a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment● You wish to cover a misshapen or discolored tooth
Different types of dental bridges
Today, we have four types of dental bridges to cater to patients’ unique needs and conditions. After your consultation with the dentist, you will be informed on which treatment option is most ideal for you.
Traditional dental bridges
Usually made from porcelain or ceramics fused to metal, these are the most common types of dental bridges. In this method we will create and place dental crowns on both sides of the missing teeth. Next, we will place the artificial teeth or pontics in order to bridge the gap.
Maryland bonded bridges
Maryland bonded dental bridges are also known as resin-bonded bridges. This type of bridge is a minimally invasive alternative to a traditional dental bridge. It does not require extensive modification to neighboring healthy teeth. This bridge features one or more artificial teeth and two small wings. The wings are made of a tooth-colored resin material, so they can attach to the backside of adjacent teeth without affecting the aesthetics of your smile. These restorations are commonly used to replace a single missing tooth, however, Maryland bonded bridges can replace two or more teeth in some cases.