Dental Bridges in Kannapolis Improve Your Smile and Your Bite

If you're missing one or more teeth in the same area of your mouth, you may be eligible for a dental bridge. This type of device works by physically bridging the gap in your mouth with prosthetic teeth. This creates a more natural-looking smile while alleviating stress whenever you bite down.

What Do Dental Bridges Look Like?

The look of each dental bridge depends on the individual it's designed for. A bridge is typically made up of two or more crowns. In between these crowns are artificial teeth, also known as pontics. These can be made of alloys, porcelain, gold, or a combination of the three.

The dental bridge typically has crowns on both ends. These slide over the existing natural teeth. This allows for maximum support of the prosthetic teeth that are positioned between the crowns. In some cases, implants secure the two ends of the dental bridge in place.

Types of Dental Bridges Near Me

There are three main types of dental bridges you can use to enhance your smile. These include traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, and Maryland-bonded bridges, also known as resin-bonded bridges.

Traditional bridges are the most commonly used and are constructed with ceramics or porcelain fused to metal. They have a crown or implant on both sides of the bridge and are completed with a pontic in the middle.

Cantilever bridges are rarely utilized. They're best to use when there is only one adjacent tooth to the missing tooth. Instead of having a crown or implant installed on both ends, one of the two is installed on just one end of the dental bridge.

Lastly, the Maryland-bonded bridge is utilized to connect a pontic to other teeth via wings. Instead of having crowns at both ends of the bridge, this type of bonded bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework in the shape of wings. These wings are bonded to your existing teeth to formulate a strong structure.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Now that you know what dental bridges are, it can be much easier to understand just how beneficial they can be. These bridges work to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your smile, as they eliminate odd gaps where your teeth used to grow. They also work to enhance the look of the surrounding teeth that they're anchored to.

Bridges can be great for restoring your ability to chew and speak adequately. Due to their construction, they work to distribute force when you bite down to reduce the wear and tear on your remaining teeth. When you opt for "dental bridges near me," you can keep your existing teeth in their correct position, so they don't drift out into the spaces where you're missing teeth.

If you live in Kannapolis and are searching for "dental bridges near me," contact us at Afton Dental today. A consultation with our dentist, Dr. Bryan Hill, is all it takes to get the process started.