Dental Bridges in Knoxville, TN
If you have a gap in your smile due to missing teeth, dentists could recommend getting a dental bridge to close the gap. Dental bridges consist of crowns that fit over the healthy teeth at each end of the gap with replacement teeth, or pontics, in the middle. The crowns and replacement teeth are bonded together in a solid unit and then cemented to the teeth on either side of the gap.
Types of Bridges
Depending on how many teeth are missing and their location, our dentists at TLC Dental Care will recommend the best bridge for your needs. Among the choices are:
- Traditional bridges
- Cantilever bridges
- Maryland bonded bridges
Traditional Bridges
A traditional bridge is one of the most common bridges for closing the gap between teeth. They consist of implants or crowns on either end of the missing tooth or teeth with pontics between them. The materials for them may include ceramic or porcelain fused to metal for missing back teeth.
Cantilever Bridges
When you only have teeth on one side of the missing ones, our dentists at TLC Dental Care near you in Knoxville, TN may recommend a cantilever bridge. They won’t recommend them for back teeth as the chewing forces of the teeth can damage the bridge.
Maryland Bonded Bridges
These bridges can consist of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or a segment of plastic teeth and gums with a porcelain or metal frame, that the dentist will bond to natural teeth. The different materials that make up this type of bridge depending on where the bridge is going in the mouth.
Usually, bridges get bonded to remaining teeth on the side of the bridge so that you cannot remove them. Bonding them allows you to use the teeth in the same manner as you do your natural ones.
Caring for Bridges
To clean bridges, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush them like you would your natural teeth. Using a mouth rinse will also help keep them clean. You should also maintain a regular schedule of exams and cleanings, and avoid eating hard foods or chewing on non-food items like ice.
If you want to get rid of the gap in your teeth caused by missing ones, consult with our dentists at TLC Dental Care in Knoxville, TN about getting a dental bridge.