Dental bridges are a nifty feature in modern dentistry that can replace single or multiple missing teeth in a patient. These fixtures have the potential to return a patient’s smile and appearance to normal after some type of damage has been done that impacts their appearance. Below, we look at how long do dental bridges last.
If you’re interested in receiving this type of dental work, then you’re likely interested in knowing just how long these bridges are prone to lasting. The good news is that if they’re well taken care of, these dental appendages have the potential to last for between 5 and 15 years if taken care of well.
A dental bridge is an artificial replacement for one or multiple teeth. These bridges imitate the appearance of a row of natural teeth. For this reason, they’re best suited to replacing either a single tooth or a row of consecutive teeth in the mouth.
The name dental bridge comes from the idea that these fixtures “bridge the gap” in one’s smile. These bridges are highly customizable, and it’s quite easy for a dentist to make a set that matches the general shape and shades of a patient’s natural teeth.
Dental bridges are composed of two different main components. These include:
Depending on the specifics of how many teeth you need to replace and the general shape of your mouth, your own dental bridge will contain a unique combination of these two elements.
Depending on your exact goals for your end results, your dentist will recommend one of the four primary types of dental bridges. These are as following:
A traditional dental bridge is the most common type of dental bridge. It generally consists of dental crowns on both ends of the bridge with artificial teeth placed in between. The bridge is bonded through the crowns to your natural teeth on either side of the gap. The pontics fill the space between.
A Maryland bridge utilizes metal wings rather than crowns to secure your bridge. A dentist then bonds the wings to the back of your mouth to secure your bridge. This type of dental bridge is mostly used to replace a patient’s front teeth.
This type of bridge is very similar to a traditional bridge. However, there’s only a crown on one end of this type of bridge, rather than on both ends. Dentists typically employ this type of bridge only when a patient has natural teeth on one side of the gap. Cantilever bridges aren’t quite as strong as traditional bridges.
This type of dental bridge is also similar to a traditional dental bridge. However, in this type of bridge, the installation rests atop dental implants rather than natural teeth. Dental implants are small posts that are designed to replace missing teeth roots. Prior to attaching a bridge to dental implants, the latter must fully integrate with the architecture of the mouth through a process called integration. This can take quite a long time, with many cases taking up to 3 to 6 months to resolve.
There are several factors that can help determine which of the above bridges your dentist will choose for you. Some of these factors include the following:
Taking care of your dental bridge in order to maximize its lifespan is relatively simple. There are a number of practices you can enact in order to try and extend the lifespan of these bridges. Some of these include:
Following these steps should put you in a good position to preserve the lifespan of your dental bridges for the maximum amount of time possible.
My dentist in Anaheim is well-regarded as one of the best places in Southern California to receive high-quality dental work. If you’re interested in receiving an inspection with relation to your eligibility for dental bridge work, contact us today in order to receive a consultation and start looking your best today.
