“Is a dental bridge a good option for missing teeth?”
I am a 39 year old male and I have a missing tooth. Is a dental bridge a good option for missing teeth?
8 Answers
It’s a long lasting solution with a very long track record but implants are another option
A bridge is a good option to replace a tooth as long as the surrounding teeth are in good shape. Other types of treatments include implants or removable partial dentures.
The best option for replacing a missing tooth is an implant. However, in some cases, a bridge is a good option depending on the surrounding teeth.
For a single missing tooth, when the adjacent teeth are not too far tilted and attempting to fill the space, an implant with a crown may be successful. For multiple missing teeth, careful planning by your dentist is important. The jaw bone into which implants are seated must be the right size and health for accepting implants. There are anatomcal structures (nerve and blood vessel canals) that may get in the way. Experts in placing implants can usually figure out the best ways around obstructions. Alternatives include fixed bridges which are attached to adjacent teeth via crowns, or removable bridges (partial dentures) retained by clasps. The number and location of the missing tooth/teeth is/are part of the design process. Quality, price and value are determined by your dentist with your input. Your expectations, both long term and short term, are important.
A bridge or an implant is the best choice. The advantage of an implant is that it does not involve other teeth and is MUCH easier to maintain and keep clean.
Hello,
While dental bridge is one option to replace a missing tooth you need to be aware of the limitations this presents. Depending on the type of bridge typically the adjacent teeth have to be prepared ( drilled and significantly reduced in size) to be able to support the prosthesis. If these teeth are intact bridge would not be a good option as the overall goal is to minimize loss of tooth structure. Happy and healthy teeth are the ones with less dental work on them! Replacing missing teeth with implants is much more predictable and longer lasting option. Considering your age I suggest you explore this option and discuss it with your dentist. Keep in mind every case is different and requires a thorough assessment of the patient general and dental health, bite and habits. Hope this helps!
While dental bridge is one option to replace a missing tooth you need to be aware of the limitations this presents. Depending on the type of bridge typically the adjacent teeth have to be prepared ( drilled and significantly reduced in size) to be able to support the prosthesis. If these teeth are intact bridge would not be a good option as the overall goal is to minimize loss of tooth structure. Happy and healthy teeth are the ones with less dental work on them! Replacing missing teeth with implants is much more predictable and longer lasting option. Considering your age I suggest you explore this option and discuss it with your dentist. Keep in mind every case is different and requires a thorough assessment of the patient general and dental health, bite and habits. Hope this helps!
Yes.
Hello,
Asking if a dental bridge is a good option for missing teeth is the first step in the right direction! The simplest answer that I can give is: Yes, depending on the circumstances a dental bridge is a good option to replace a missing tooth. This comes with a caveat though. Years ago dental bridges were done all the time because they were the best way of replacing teeth. Now-a-days, dental implants have become so successful that in a lot of scenarios implants are the best way to replace a missing tooth.
This does not mean that in all situations an implant is the best way to replace a missing tooth. For example, if one tooth is missing and the teeth on either side of the missing tooth area have cavities large enough to require crowns, then it might be in the patients best interest to have a dental bridge replace the missing tooth. The bridge would fill the missing tooth area as well as put crown on the teeth that need them (2 birds 1 stone).
Another example would be a tooth that has been missing for a while. When we loose a tooth the jaw bone starts atrophying (resorbing) and the teeth around the missing tooth start drifting into that space. This means that there is not enough space in the jaw bone to put an implant in and there is not enough space to put a tooth in. Both of these are usually remedied with a dental bridge easier then a dental implant.
Finally, a dental implant usually costs about the same amount as a dental bridge, until procedures like bone grafts and orthodontics are required. So simply from a cost point of view a dental bridge could be a better choice then a dental implant. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Asking if a dental bridge is a good option for missing teeth is the first step in the right direction! The simplest answer that I can give is: Yes, depending on the circumstances a dental bridge is a good option to replace a missing tooth. This comes with a caveat though. Years ago dental bridges were done all the time because they were the best way of replacing teeth. Now-a-days, dental implants have become so successful that in a lot of scenarios implants are the best way to replace a missing tooth.
This does not mean that in all situations an implant is the best way to replace a missing tooth. For example, if one tooth is missing and the teeth on either side of the missing tooth area have cavities large enough to require crowns, then it might be in the patients best interest to have a dental bridge replace the missing tooth. The bridge would fill the missing tooth area as well as put crown on the teeth that need them (2 birds 1 stone).
Another example would be a tooth that has been missing for a while. When we loose a tooth the jaw bone starts atrophying (resorbing) and the teeth around the missing tooth start drifting into that space. This means that there is not enough space in the jaw bone to put an implant in and there is not enough space to put a tooth in. Both of these are usually remedied with a dental bridge easier then a dental implant.
Finally, a dental implant usually costs about the same amount as a dental bridge, until procedures like bone grafts and orthodontics are required. So simply from a cost point of view a dental bridge could be a better choice then a dental implant. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
