Short Description
A fixed dental restoration that replaces missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth or implants for support and stability.
Long Description
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the surrounding natural teeth or implants. It restores both function and aesthetics, allowing patients to chew, speak, and smile with confidence. Bridges help maintain proper tooth alignment by preventing the shifting of neighboring teeth into empty spaces.
There are different types of dental bridges, including traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges. Traditional bridges use crowns on adjacent teeth for support, while implant-supported bridges rely on dental implants for added strength and longevity. The choice of bridge depends on factors such as the location of the missing tooth, the health of surrounding teeth, and patient preference.
Proper care of a dental bridge includes brushing, flossing, and using special floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean underneath the bridge. Regular dental visits help ensure that the bridge remains in good condition and that the supporting teeth or implants stay healthy. With proper maintenance, a bridge can last 10-15 years or longer.