Can a Dental Bridge Replace Multiple Teeth?

When you have lost teeth, a dental bridge is an ideal tooth replacement option to consider. Dental bridges are permanently attached to the teeth and do not slide or protrude from the mouth. Dentures, on the other hand, may replace many teeth with only one fastening. Many individuals are interested in learning how many teeth may be replaced with a dental bridge. Continue reading to find out.

Dental bridges as a tooth replacement option

Here is a rundown of dental bridges, including how many teeth they can replace. A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration. It is used to restore lost teeth by permanently attaching an artificial tooth to a neighboring natural or artificial tooth. Dental crowns, composed of porcelain or composite resin, are frequently used as prosthetic teeth when bridges are used. A dental bridge can also be used with dental implants to provide a highly durable tooth replacement.

The process

When a dental bridge replaces a missing tooth, the general dentist will connect the fixture to the teeth on each side of the gap, whether they are artificial or natural teeth. The dental bridge will be held in place using cement or bonding to bridge the space between the teeth properly. The teeth supporting the bridge are called abutments. The dentist will need to remove a thin enamel layer from them so the incoming crown can fit over them. Afterward, the dentist will take impressions of the teeth and send these and the patient's specifications, to the dental lab.

Since the bridge must be custom-made, the entire procedure takes some time. However, the time commitment is often well worth it because a dental bridge can enable patients to eat, smile, and speak normally.

Depending on the patient's needs, a dental bridge can be used to replace one to four teeth. However, replacing one to two teeth is the most common practice. A bridge can replace more teeth than four in some rare cases, but there are a few factors to consider.

First, there must be sufficient natural teeth that can support dental crowns. Furthermore, the anchoring teeth must be in ideal condition, meaning they must be strong and healthy. If they are not, the dental bridge will likely become loose over time. Another factor is that if more than two teeth are replaced, the dental bridge may not be stable. A sizeable dental bridge would be required to fill a gap with four missing teeth, for example. The more that a dental bridge is extended, the less stable it becomes. To summarize, a dental bridge can be used to replace multiple missing teeth, but it is risky, and the patient must be in good health so it can work efficiently.

In conclusion

If you want to learn more about dental bridges, consulting a general dentist is a good starting point. They will perform an evaluation to determine how many dental bridges are required and the number of teeth that require replacement. Contact the dental office to book an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://princewilliamdental.com or call Prince William Dental at (703) 662-8287 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.

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