Missing teeth and gaps in your teeth can ruin an otherwise perfect smile. They can also hinder your confidence and make you less comfortable in social gatherings. If you are dealing with tooth loss and are ready for a complete smile, our team at Rockton Dental can help through the use of dental bridges.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is a restorative treatment used to fill the gap left by one or more adjacent missing teeth. A dental bridge is a non-invasive procedure that does not require any incisions and is painless. A bridge involves the placement of an oral device that replaces your missing tooth or teeth with false teeth. This procedure can be completed in two simple visits and will blend seamlessly with your smile.
There are several types of dental bridges, each of which has several benefits and is chosen based on your needs. The most frequently used type of dental bridge is a traditional fixed bridge. This type of bridge has one or more false teeth in the middle portion of the bridge and crowns on either side of the bridge that is affixed to the healthy adjacent teeth. In order to install this bridge, our professional must reshape the adjacent teeth so that they can receive the crowns.
Sometimes, healthy teeth are not present on both sides of the bridge. In these cases, our team may use a cantilever bridge. A cantilever bridge is similar to a fixed dental bridge, except that there is only a crown on one side of the bridge. As with traditional bridges, a cantilever bridge will require that our team reshape the adjacent tooth so that it can receive the crown.
The third type of dental bridge is called a Maryland Bonded Bridge. This is a more conservative type of dental bridge and is typically only used to replace front teeth. Instead of being held in place with crowns, a Maryland-style bridge is made from a metal framework and consists of porcelain fused to metal teeth. To place this type of bridge, our professional will attach the metal wings to the back of your adjacent teeth.
How Long Do Bridges Last?
According to Healthline, dental bridges typically last anywhere from five to fifteen years. The lifespan of your bridge will depend on how well you care for your bridge. It is important that you avoid eating extremely hard foods with your bridge because they can chip or crack it. Good oral hygiene and regular oral exams will help you get the most out of your bridge.
Which Bridge Is Best?
All three types of bridges have their share of benefits. Traditional dental bridges provide the most strength and stability because they are held in place with two crowns. However, they may be impractical for replacing missing front teeth because the abutment teeth may appear unusually thick once the crown is placed. On the other hand, Maryland bridges do not require that abutment teeth be filed down but provide less strength.
If you think that you may be a good candidate for a dental bridge, our team at Rockton Dental can help. You can schedule your appointment by calling our office at (815) 624-3269.
Dental Bridge • Rockton, IL • Rockton Dental Care If you are dealing with tooth loss and are ready for a complete smile, our team at Rockton Dental can help through the use of dental bridges. Give us a call now! Rockton Dental Care, 213 W. Main St, Rockton, IL 61072, (815) 624-3269, rocktondental.com, 3/2/2026, Key Phrases: dentist Rockton Il,
Missing teeth and gaps in your teeth can ruin an otherwise perfect smile. They can also hinder your confidence and make you less comfortable in social gatherings. If you are dealing with tooth loss and are ready for a complete smile, our team at