A lot of people don’t like puns; one possible reason for this being that they expose the instability of language, how we aren’t quite as in control of communication as we might think. When writing an article on bridges, the temptation to pun to is almost irresistible. Given how stable dental bridges are, however, I feel exploiting the unstable nature of speech may be a little inappropriate…

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is essentially a way of replacing a missing tooth; they consist of a false tooth which is anchored on to the surrounding teeth. It is called a bridge as, much like a transportational bridge will cross a gap in land, it crosses over and covers the gap in your teeth!

Why would I want to replace a tooth?

Your appearance might be one reason. It isn’t  however, the only reason: Tooth loss can affect the way you talk, eat and even the way your face is shaped! It can also increase the risk of you getting gum disease.

Types of bridges

At Dublin18 Dental Care near Dundrum, we specialise in two types of dental bridge: The conventional fixed bridge and the Maryland bridge. Which bridge is best suited for you is mostly determined by the size of your gap and the condition of your surrounding teeth.

The conventional fixed bridge

The conventional fixed bridge is the most common of the bridges and its popularity is mostly the result of its versatility. They are custom made to fit your mouth and teeth, so will blend in perfectly. They are, however, attached to the surrounding teeth by two crowns, which will require the surrounding healthy teeth to shaved slightly.

The Maryland bridge

Maryland bridges operate in a similar way to fixed bridges; they key difference being that these bridges do not use crowns to attach to the teeth adjacent to your gap. This means that no healthy teeth need be affected! The main drawback, however, is that these bridges can, subsequently, only be used in areas of low pressure in the mouth.

Want to talk bridges?

Then call us at Dublin18 Dental Care.