Dental bridges are an extremely common restorative dentistry option for replacing multiple adjacent missing teeth. Common and popular as they are, though, traditional dental bridges in Winnipeg are not the only option available.
Two others include traditional partial dentures; implant-supported partial dentures; and implant-supported bridges. Each option has advantages and disadvantages that may recommend one over the other. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of dental bridges you can receive from a dentist in Winnipeg.
What are the advantages of dental bridges?
• Dental bridges can cosmetically replace missing teeth effectively thanks to the ability to craft the pontics (artificial teeth) to match your remaining natural teeth
• Filling gaps left behind in a smile because of lost teeth can restore personal confidence and self-esteem, especially in people who work in professional capacities or public-facing roles
• Persistent tooth loss often results in remaining teeth on either side of the gap twisting and shifting into the gap left behind, which changes distort your bite and affect your ability to chew, eat and even speak. The placement of a bridge holds those adjacent natural teeth in their original optimal position to eliminate the risk of a distorted bite
• Most people find it easier to adjust to wearing a dental bridge than to adjust to wearing a partial denture because of the additional bulk contained in a denture and the resulting changes to the shape of your mouth’s interior
• Unlike traditional dentures that need to be removed from your mouth overnight and be cleaned, your bridge remains in place and can be cleaned just by brushing your teeth as you usually would
What are the disadvantages of dental bridges?
● Health teeth on each side of your missing teeth — called abutment teeth — need to be modified in order to accommodate the crowns that anchor the bridge. Removing enamel from neighbouring teeth increases their risk of suffering tooth decay in the event that bacteria gets underneath the crown
● In the event that the modified teeth that anchor a bridge via crowns become infected or suffer damage, that infected or weakened tooth may be unable to support the bridge in which case the bridge may need to be replaced altogether
● Traditional dental bridges are not rooted in your jaw, but supported by and suspended between two teeth. As a result, the stability, strength and biting power of the pontics supported by the bridge is less than would be the case if they were rooted in your jaw
● The upfront cost of a traditional bridge is certainly lower than implant-based options for replacing missing teeth. Having said that, bridges typically have to be replaced every decade to 15 years whereas dental implants are (in most cases) a lifelong solution for tooth loss. To determine the long-term value of one option over another requires factoring in those occasional inevitable replacement costs.
● Some patients report increased tooth sensitivity after being fit with a dental bridge. Though this situation is usually temporary, it has proved a permanent outcome in some cases
● Bridges are vulnerable to damage if you clench your jaw and grind your teeth
Just how these advantages and disadvantages come out in the wash for you depends on a lot of factors that can’t be listed here, especially your medical history and the health of your gums and remaining teeth. In some cases, traditional dental bridges are the best option. In others, though, implants or an implant-supported bridge may deliver more optimal results. The best way to find out if getting dental bridges near you is a good idea is to arrange an appointment with a dentist near you for a comprehensive assessment and consultation.