Should You Get a Bridge or Partial Denture?

Tooth loss is an unfortunate reality for millions of Americans. In fact, the American College of Prosthodontists estimates that around 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, while 40 million are missing all of their teeth. If you’re a part of this statistic, you’ll be pleased to know that your dentist offers several restorative solutions, including dental bridges and partial dentures, to restore your smile to its full function and appearance. Read on to learn the difference between these two prosthetics and what one would work best for you.

What is a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are designed to replace anywhere from one to four missing teeth in a row. They consist of two major parts: the free-standing replacement teeth, which are called pontics, and two dental crowns that are fused to either end of the pontics. The crowns act as anchors to secure the replacement teeth in place, as they’re fused to the two natural teeth on either end of the space in your arch. Bridges can also be secured to two or more dental implants to avoid the need for any alteration of your natural teeth and provide more permanent results.

What is a Partial Denture?

Partial dentures are designed to replace several missing teeth located across an arch to fill gaps within the smile. They’re designed to fit like a puzzle piece, securely clasping between your existing teeth with a custom-designed metal foundation. Atop the foundation is gum-colored acrylic and natural-looking artificial teeth, which are typically crafted from ceramic, acrylic, or another durable material.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, your dentist can also fill multiple gaps spread throughout your smile using dental implants that anchor bridges and crowns in place.

How Do You Know What Option Will Work Best for You?

The best way to learn which tooth replacement treatment is right for you is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. During your visit, they’ll ask you about your smile goals, go over your medical and oral health history, and walk you through each of your options, helping highlight the pros and cons of them. Because everyone’s oral anatomy and tooth loss situation is different, finding out whether a dental bridge or partial denture is right for you is a question best left to be answered by a professional.

About the Practice

Our team at Daily Smiles Dental Dallas consists of three talented, compassionate dentists: Drs. Gustavo Arrechea, Aom Arrechea, and Vanina Arrechea. They’re dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology in the dental field and offer several different customized treatments to replace missing teeth. From dental implants to traditional full and partial dentures, our team can restore the health and function of your smile. Visit our website or call 214-233-9460 today to schedule a consultation.