When is a Dental Bridge the Right Choice?

The great thing about dentistry is that it is always being researched. Over the years this has created lots of new developments in dentistry and now you have the luxury of choice when it comes to dental treatment. The challenge that also comes with this is choosing the right choice of treatment when there are sometimes many options to choose from. 

Choosing the right treatment for yourself has much to do with you! Information gathered through a dental exam, x-rays, and medical history often is the key indicator for what treatment is best. Other factors such as time and financial investment can also influence your dental decisions.

One of the biggest things about figuring out if a dental bridge is a right choice for you is understanding what a dental bridge is. A dental bridge is similar to a crown in that it replaces the top portion of your teeth but not the root of your tooth. A dental bridge also involves spanning over the space of a missing tooth. 

When Is A Dental Bridge A Possible Option?

Some possible reasons why you might be looking at dental bridges are:

• You need to replace an already missing tooth
• You will be losing a tooth in the near future and it will need replacing
• You could get an implant but the teeth on either side of the implant would benefit from crowns
• You don’t like the idea of getting an implant
• Other tooth replacement options such as a partial don’t really seem like a good fit

Are Dental Bridges Removable

Dental bridges are not usually removable. They are cemented into place and meant to stay put much like a permanent crown also is.  

The important thing to remember is that since dental bridges are cemented in place, they must be cleaned well. Special floss tools can be used at home to get underneath the bridge and remove any food or bacteria that get caught in this area. Also using an electric toothbrush can be helpful as it can help to dislodge and push food out of this area.

Why Wouldn’t A Dental Bridge Be A Good Option?

There are some times when a dental bridge may not be the best option. Perhaps, you need to replace a missing tooth but the two teeth on either side of this space are near perfect. They don’t have fillings or crack lines, so needing to crown these two great teeth may not be a good idea. In this case, it might be best to look into an implant to replace your missing tooth.

Another concern is keeping the area around the bridge clean. If you don’t have the best home care, a bridge might not be the best option for you. If plaque gets trapped in these areas and isn’t removed, it could cause decay around the bridge. If this happens, the bridge would need to be replaced or if the decay is quite deep it could lead to tooth loss. 

Which Is Better, Dental Implants or Dental Bridges?

This really depends on your specific case. As mentioned above, there are certain instances where an implant or bridge may be better than the other. For some patients, either implants or a bridge would be a great option. Your dentist can help you make this decision based on your dental needs.

Are you wanting to restore your smile? Call our office today and we can get you scheduled for a consultation. Talking with an experienced dental team is one of the best ways to get your questions answered!