Restorative Dentistry: Dental Bridges vs. Partial Dentures
If you are missing two or more teeth, you have several solutions to choose from. Two of the most common restorative dentistry options are dental bridges and partial dentures. In many ways, these two restorations are similar. Custom-designed to match your smile, they will rely on your adjoining healthy teeth for support. However, a bridge will be fixed in your mouth, while a partial denture will be removable. The right option for you will depend on your current dental health, treatment goals, and budget. Dr. Stanislaus or Dr. Reid will evaluate your needs and help you choose the most appropriate restoration for your smile. To learn more about dental bridges vs. partial dentures, contact our Brooklyn practice today.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
If you choose a dental bridge, it will be made of several attached crowns. Your restoration will be custom-crafted from impressions of your teeth, and it will match the natural shade of your smile. The bridge will have two crowns on each end, which will fit on top of the healthy teeth flanking the gap in your smile. To place a bridge, your dentist will need to reshape the adjacent teeth. This process will create enough room for the restoration to lie flush against your teeth, maintaining your natural bite alignment. One or more entirely new teeth will lie inside the gap in your grin. A bridge will restore your dental function, appearance, and self-confidence. It will also keep your other teeth from drifting out of position.
Dental Bridge Candidates
A dental bridge may be the right type of restoration for you if:
- You are missing one to three adjacent teeth
- Your nearby teeth are strong and healthy enough to support the bridge
- You desire a fixed restoration that will not slip out of place
- You do not have gum disease, or you have undergone appropriate periodontal care
What Is a Partial Denture?
Like a fixed bridge, a partial denture will replace multiple teeth. Rather than crowns, small metal clips or plastic attachment pieces will hold this type of restoration in place. Your partial denture will also have a plastic base, carefully selected to correspond with the shade of your gums. You can use denture adhesive on this base to give your restoration more stability.
To fit your partial denture, Dr. Stanislaus or Dr. Reid will take impressions of your alveolar ridge and remaining teeth. Our lab will use these measurements, along with photos of your smile, to craft a denture that blends naturally with your grin. Because partials are removable, you will need to take them out for cleaning and while you sleep. You may also have to make a few adjustments to your diet. Very crunchy or sticky foods could damage the partial denture or pull it out of position.
Partial Denture Candidates
You may be a good candidate for a partial denture if:
- You are missing more than three teeth and/or you are missing teeth in two areas
- You are looking for the most affordable option
- Your nearby teeth are not strong enough to bear the weight of a fixed bridge
Contact Us for an Evaluation
No matter which type of restoration you choose, we will make sure that it fits and looks natural. Contact Brooklyn Heights Dental® today and find out whether a bridge or a partial denture is right for you.