
A Closer Look At the Four Types of Bridges

When you need to replace teeth missing from decay or injury, a dental bridge is an affordable and long-lasting option.
Our team at Oasis Dental Team PC in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, specialize in creating state-of-the-art bridges that instantly enhance your smile and restore your ability to chew and speak.
Our team can determine which type of bridge meets your needs after a comprehensive dental exam. He focuses on restoring your smile with a bridge that looks natural and is designed to last.
An overview of dental bridges
A bridge is a dental device that helps “bridge” the gap left behind by missing teeth. A bridge is made up of a pontic (false tooth) with a crown on either side. The crowns fit over your natural teeth and the artificial tooth fills in the gap where your tooth is missing.
In most cases, the artificial tooth is made of porcelain, a durable material that closely resembles your natural teeth.
The type of bridge you need depends on your dental health and the reason for the bridge.
Types of bridges
There are four main types of dental bridges – traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridge.
Traditional bridge
A traditional bridge is the most common and is made up of one or more false teeth held in place by dental crowns. Our team cements the crowns to your abutment teeth on either side of your tooth gap.
Cantilever bridge
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, except that this bridge is held in place by a crown our team cements to only one neighboring tooth.
Maryland bridge
A Maryland bridge is typically an option for replacing missing front teeth. This type of bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework that we bond to the backs of your natural teeth on either side of the gap to hold the artificial tooth or teeth in place.
Implant-supported bridge
Dental implants involve the placement of a titanium post into your jawbone to support an artificial tooth. Generally, you need one implant for each of your missing teeth.
If this isn’t possible, our team can suspend a bridge between two implant-supported crowns.
When to consider a bridge
If you’re missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge is an effective way to replace them. Outside of the implant-supported bridge, the procedure to get a bridge is relatively simple.
Customizing your dental bridge allows our team to address issues that can result from missing teeth. You should consider a bridge if you’re interested in:
- Improving your smile
- Restoring your ability to chew
- Maintaining your face shape
- Protecting your ability to speak clearly
- Preserving the position of your natural teeth
Of course, we can help you decide if a bridge is an option for replacing your missing teeth and saving your smile. If a bridge isn’t a good fit for you, he might recommend other solutions like dental implants to keep your teeth and jaw healthy.
If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth, schedule a consultation with Oasis Dental Team PC today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online to discuss your options for a dental bridge.
You Might Also Enjoy...


Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

What to Expect After Professional Teeth Whitening

When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary

The Benefits of Resin Fillings
