Dental Bridges in Midtown East
Madison Dental Arts provides dental bridges in NYC. Call 212-532-1400 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
One or more missing teeth is common for many people. The ADA reports that on average adult patients may have three missing or decayed teeth. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions to replace missing teeth, including dental bridges.
A dental bridge may be used to restore an area with one or more adjacent missing teeth. A bridge has two primary components. The abutments (or supports) for the bridge are created by placing a crown on either a natural tooth or an implant. The synthetic tooth that replaces the missing tooth is called a pontic.
In the case of one missing tooth, the two teeth on either side will be prepped for crowns and the missing tooth will be replaced with a synthetic tooth that is connected to the crowns on either side of the missing tooth. In the case of several adjacent missing teeth, one or more dental implants may provide the abutment.
There are four main types of dental bridges for missing teeth:
Traditional Dental Bridge
Traditional dental bridges are the most common type of dental bridge, and are also known as a fixed bridge. The existing natural teeth are crowned with one or more pontics between and held in place by the crowned abutment teeth. The dental crowns are cemented onto the natural teeth adjacent to the missing teeth to create a support structure or “bridge” for the missing teeth.
Cantilever Bridge
This type of dental bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, except that the structure is supported on only one side instead of both sides. This can cause the restoration to act as a “lever” and may create additional stress on the supporting tooth, causing it to be more likely to loosen or fracture.
Implant Supported Bridge
Instead of using surrounding teeth to support a dental bridge, a dental implant may be substituted to provide support for one or both sides of a tooth bridge. Dental implants are a popular option that can provide a very secure restoration. Dental implants are also particularly helpful when there are several adjacent missing teeth.
Maryland Bridges
A Maryland bridge is supported by a metal structure which is cemented onto the back of remaining teeth. While not as strong as a traditional dental bridge, it can preserve the tooth structure of the remaining natural teeth by avoiding the use of crowns for the abutments. A Maryland dental bridge may not stay in place when heavy forces are placed on the restoration (such as biting and chewing) and does add pressure to the supporting natural teeth.
Contact our office to learn more about your dental restoration options for single or multiple missing teeth and achieve the smile you have always wanted.
Call 212-532-1400 to schedule your appointment.