Boulder General Dentistry | Dr. Birnbach, D.M.D.: Are Bridges Obsolete?

Are Bridges Obsolete?

Truth is, bridges aren't the best dentistry for most
folks who lose one or more tooth.

The fixed bridge was the best dentistry had to offer for a long
time.

A fixed bridge provides one or more fake teeth that are
held onto the teeth on either side of the missing tooth by crowns.

That means removing good, healthy tooth structure in order to fit a
crown. Replacing one tooth required treating 2 other teeth.

It used to be the best dentistry. Now implants
are a preferred way of replacing a missing tooth.

An implant doesn't require crowns on the surrounding
teeth.
It's a one tooth solution to a one tooth problem.

If you have a bridge already, you also know that the
gums under the missing tooth (or teeth) often develop
problems. It is hard to floss and brush there, and
there is sometimes infection and bone loss as a result.

As a result of the difficulty in cleaning under the false tooth, new decay may form, necessitating that a new bridge be made. Sometimes the decay causes so much destruction that a tooth may be lost, meaning yet another tooth needs to be crowned.

Fixed bridges were a fine form of dentistry for a long
time, but now implants are often better.

If you have a fixed bridge that is wearing out or
causing you problems, you may want to consider
implants.

posted by Mark J. Birnbach, DMD at 11:42 AM

Boulder General Dentistry | Dr. Birnbach, D.M.D.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Are Bridges Obsolete?