What Are the Different Types of Dental Bridges?

There are two main types of dental bridges that serve different purposes in dental restoration:

Tooth-Supported Bridge: This type of bridge is used when you have natural teeth on either side of a gap caused by missing teeth. The adjacent natural teeth are prepared by reducing their size, and then crowns are placed over these teeth. These crowns act as anchors to support a pontic (artificial tooth) that fills the gap.

Implant-Supported Bridge: Unlike the tooth-supported bridge, this type of bridge uses dental implants as anchors instead of adjacent natural teeth. Dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as stable foundations for the bridge. This method is particularly useful when multiple adjacent teeth are missing or when the adjacent natural teeth are not suitable for supporting a bridge.

Both types of bridges have their advantages depending on the patient’s specific dental situation and oral health. Your dentist can evaluate your condition and recommend the most suitable type of bridge to restore your smile effectively and functionally.