A dental bridge in wilmington nc is a dental prosthesis that is used to replace one or more missing teeth in one area of the mouth. dental bridges are an excellent option for patients who are not eligible for dental implants. Bridges are much less invasive and do not require any surgery or healing time. If you are missing a tooth in the back of your mouth and feel that it is not necessary to replace, think again! Leaving an open space allows healthy teeth to shift and try to fill that space, compromising the teeth and jaw bone.
A bridge can be used to replace multiple teeth using one or more pontics that span between two crowns or pontics with attachments on the end which is called a Maryland bridge and as what we will discuss here.
While a Maryland bridge still uses the neighboring healthy teeth for support, a Maryland bridge does not require that the anchoring teeth be prepared for crowns. Instead, the pontic has little metal wings that are cemented to the back of the neighboring teeth. This is a healthier option for the anchoring teeth since they are not affected by any loss of tooth structure.
To fabricate your Maryland bridge, the dental lab will make a metal framework for the porcelain pontics. The fake tooth is made using porcelain fused to metal process which gives you the strength of metal and the aesthetic qualities of porcelain. The metal framework has little wings that are used to secure the pontics to their supporting teeth.
Are there any negatives to a Maryland bridge?
A Maryland bridge may not be the best option if you are missing posterior teeth. Our back teeth take a lot more abuse than front teeth with chewing and bruxism and would be better off with a bridge using crowns.
There is also a possibility that the color and aesthetics of a Maryland bridge will not match its neighboring teeth. Our teeth have a translucency that may not be able to be replicated with the porcelain fused to metal Maryland bridge that can usually be achieved with all-porcelain restorations. Additionally, the wings used to attach the pontic are metal and may create a darker appearance of the teeth that they are attached to.
When you have a dental restoration place, it is important to be as diligent as ever with your home care. Oral hygiene is crucial to the success and longevity of dental restorations. A Maryland bridge is easier to brush and floss than bridges affixed with crowns. As with any restoration, your dentist messages that you get a nightguard to protect your investment and maintain the integrity of your remaining teeth. A night guard acts as a buffer between your upper and lower teeth when you clench and grind your teeth while you sleep.
If you are ready to replace a missing tooth, speak with your dentist to determine if a Maryland bridge is appropriate for you.
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