Dental Bridges
Serving the Hannibal, Ladue, and St. Louis, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois areas
Not only are missing teeth cosmetically unappealing, they can affect your speech, and significantly increase the risk of disease and decay in your other teeth and gums. Missing teeth cause more dental problems than almost any other cosmetic dental-related problem.
The most common way to fix missing teeth is by installing a dental bridge. A bridge is basically a false tooth that is attached between two of your natural teeth by two porcelain crowns. The false tooth, or “pontic,” is suspended between the two crowns. The crowns act like a bridge, holding the pontic in place.
Types of dental bridges
Unlike dentures, dental bridges are not removable. Dental bridges come in three different types, and differ in the way they are placed:
- Traditional Fixed Bridge – This is held in place by two crowns. Each side of the false tooth is attached by a crown. This type of bridge is useful for replacing one or more missing teeth.
- Resin Bonded Bridges – This bridge is used for your front teeth. When the teeth on each side of the missing tooth are healthy and have no large fillings, resin bonded bridges are the best choice. This is done by fusing the pontic to metal bands, which are then bonded to the abutment teeth with a dental resin. This type of bridge is less expensive than a fixed bridge due to the amount of preparation to the adjacent teeth.
- Cantilever Bridges – When there are teeth on only one side of the open space, a cantilever bridge is used. The pontic is anchored to an adjacent tooth on one side of the missing tooth.
Anyone with missing teeth is a candidate for dental bridges. Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Janes will determine which type of bridge is right for you. With proper maintenance, regular brushing and flossing, your dental bridge will last upwards of ten years or more.
Only a qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist can properly match the color of your bridge to that of the rest of your teeth. If you live in the Hannibal, Missouri area and are in need of a dental bridge, or have further questions regarding the procedure, please contact our cosmetic dentist at the office of Dr. Charles Janes today for an initial dental bridge consultation.
Charles W. Janes, D.D.S.
Functional Cosmetic Dentistry & Full Mouth Rehabilitation
"Designing Smiles, Enhancing Life"
501 Clinic Rd., Hannibal, Missouri 63401
573.221.3360
1261 Maine, Quincy, Illinois 62301
217.228.2828
