If you’ve lost some teeth, modern dentistry has two great ways you could treat the issue. The first is a dental bridge, while the other is a partial denture. Either choice could potentially fill the gaps in your grin and restore your entire smile. Still, you may not know whether to get a dental bridge or partial denture. Your Putnam dentist will gladly help you if that’s the case. Just read on to learn about dental bridges, partial dentures, and which device suits you.
What’s a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is an item that replaces one to four adjacent teeth at once. Needless to say, it can quickly fill a large smile gap.
Given its purpose, a dental bridge is a fixed restoration. A normal one consists of dental crowns fused to a pontic (i.e., an artificial tooth) and relies on nearby teeth for support. By using these supporting teeth or “abutments,” a dental bridge anchors itself and restores your smile.
Many dentists offer implant bridges if you’d prefer a more lasting device. These kinds get support from dental implants instead of crowns, so healthy teeth aren’t altered to place them.
What’s a Partial Denture?
Like a dental bridge, a partial denture can replace several teeth at once. However, it works a bit differently due to its makeup and other traits.
A partial denture is made to be a removable device. It consists of artificial teeth set in a resin base, clipping onto your nearby natural teeth with small clasps. The appliance can also be fitted regardless of your smile’s general health, though it should be removed from the mouth for cleaning and sleeping.
In rare cases, a partial denture doesn’t have to use metal clasps. It may instead have precision attachments, which are more natural-looking.
The “Best Choice” Depends on You
Ultimately, whether a dental bridge or partial denture suits you best will depend on your case. The two devices tend to work well in differing situations.
Often, a dental bridge is ideal when you only lack a tooth or two. It tends to get unstable if it has to replace three or four teeth. Plus, it’s likely to stay in place if its abutments are strong and healthy. This option is the more expensive of the two, though.
In contrast, a partial denture is ideal when you lack many teeth in a row. It can replace that number without any major loss in stability. This option will also work even if you lose more teeth, as it doesn’t attach to your natural pearly whites. It also isn’t costly and can work for the budget-conscious.
Really, whether a dental bridge or partial denture is best can vary from patient to patient. Make sure to talk to your dentist before making a final decision.
About the Practice
Quiet Corner Dental is based in Putnam, CT. Led by Drs. Walter McGinn, Carolyn McGinn, and Eleni Milas, our practice has been providing great dental care for over thirty years. We’ve spent those years dedicated to various preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments. Given that fact, our team naturally offers dental bridges and partial dentures as well. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (860)-928-3723.