Dental bridges have been around for centuries, and today, they’re still a leading solution for helping patients recover from tooth loss. Often made from lifelike dental porcelain to closely mimic healthy, natural teeth, modern dental bridges can restore confidence in your smile as much as the balance and function of your bite. With the support of one or more dental implants, your bridge can also help preserve the strength and integrity of your jawbone, avoid alterations to your healthy tooth structure, and enjoy a more comfortable, stable, and lifelike replacement for your lost teeth.
The Point of a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis designed to close the gap in your smile following tooth loss. The prosthesis consists of one or more pontics (highly lifelike replacement teeth) that are crafted precisely according to the dimensions of your lost tooth or teeth. The pontics are traditionally supported by crowns that are bonded to nearby healthy teeth, which hold the bridge in place as you bite, chew, and speak.
Replacing One or Multiple Teeth
Instead of relying on healthy teeth for support, however, your dentist might recommend supporting your dental prosthesis on one or more dental implants, depending on how many teeth you’ve lost. For instance, to replace a single tooth, a single implant post can be placed in your jawbone and topped with a lifelike dental crown. If you’ve lost two or more adjacent teeth, then a bridge with the appropriate number of pontics can be secured to one or more implant posts, helping you avoid the need to alter your healthy tooth structure to support the bridge’s crowns.
Learn if You Can Benefit from an Implant-Supported Bridge
With the help of one or more dental implants, a dental bridge can offer significantly more benefits for your immediate and long-term oral health. To learn more, schedule an appointment with your dentist by calling Keelan Dental in Butler, PA, at (724) 256-4612. Our Smile Certified experts happily serve patients from Butler, Cranberry Township, Mars, Pittsburgh, Butler County, and all surrounding communities.