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After living with and working around your multiple missing teeth for who knows how long, you’ve finally decided to have them replaced. So, you do what everyone does in this situation—start researching online. While dentures are the go-to solution for those with no natural teeth left, for people like you who still have some, partial dentures and dental bridges keep coming up. Both sort of sound like they could work for you, but would one be better than the other? What distinguishes them from each other?
A Brief on Bridges
What are they? A dental prosthetic that replaces one to three consecutive missing teeth.
How do they work? Two dental crowns are positioned on either side of the gap, and these are bonded to more crowns in the middle, literally bridging the space.
Are they removable? Dental bridges can either be removable or fixed when paired with dental implants.
A Few Points on Partials
What are they? A way to replace non-consecutive teeth along a single dental arch.
How do they work? A gum-colored base supports a unique orientation of new teeth that fill the gaps in someone’s smile like the final piece of a puzzle. Small clasps loop around the remaining teeth for stability.
Are they removable? Like bridges, partial dentures can be removable or anchored to the jawbone with dental implants for added stability and longevity.
How to Choose
Firstly, this isn’t a decision you have to entirely make on your own. After an exam and taking some images, a dentist can suggest which one would best suit your situation. In general, bridges are best for closing single gaps, while partial dentures can fill multiple spaces along the upper or lower row.
In either case, the prosthetic will be designed to fit your unique mouth, and if you want it to look and feel as natural as possible, consider getting dental implants as well. These act like new tooth roots, not only making your new teeth extremely strong, but they also preserve the strength of the jawbone. This allows your bridge or denture to last longer compared to traditional ones.
Both treatments have literally helped tens of millions of patients around the world for decades, so no matter which one you decide on, know that by simply replacing your teeth, you’re doing something tremendously positive for your health and appearance.
About the Author
Dr. Allan Mohr has proudly served the Massapequa Park community for more than three decades, and he is one of the most widely respected restorative dentists in the United States. An in-demand trainer, speaker, and educator, his favorite thing to do is help his patients achieve the smiles of their dreams, and he has enabled countless people to do just that using both dental bridges and partial dentures. If you’re ready to have a full smile again, reach out to Dr. Mohr by clicking here or calling (516) 541-7344.
