Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth — and a false tooth /teeth in between.
Types of Dental Bridges
- Traditional fixed bridge: This is the most common type of bridge. It includes a crown on either side of the pontic(s).
- Maryland dental bridge or resin-bonded bridge: This is often used to replace front teeth. Instead of crowns, it uses porcelain or metal frameworks with “wings” that are bonded to the back of your teeth on either side of the gap.
- Implant-supported bridge: An implant for each missing tooth is surgically embedded into your jawbone in one procedure. The bridge, which contains the pontic(s), is placed over them in a later procedure.
- Cantilever bridge: This one is no longer commonly used. When only one side of the gap contains a natural tooth, the pontic(s) are anchored by a single crown on that natural tooth.
