CONTACT US TODAY
(650) 367-4967

Find a Post

Tags

Bad Breath Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Bonding Dental Bridges Dental Crowns Dental Fillings Dental Implants Dentures Dry Mouth Full Mouth Reconstruction General Dentistry Gum Disease Gum Recession Inlays Invisalign Microabrasion Onlays Porcelain Veneers Restorative Dentistry Root Canal Root Planing Root Scaling Sleep Apnea Smile Makeover Teeth Grinding Teeth Whitening Tmj Veneers

Archive

Feeds

Login to update your blog.

Contact Information

Jean E. Barthman, DDS
801 Brewster Ave Ste 255
Redwood City, CA 94063
Ph: (650) 367-4967

Send E-mail

Meet Dr. Barthman

Dr. BarthmanBeauty, Health and Comfort. These words best describe the office of Dr. Barthman. Because of her years of experience and education, she possesses the latest knowledge and techniques in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to help you achieve optimal results.

Dr. Barthman is a Member of

  • American Dental Association
  • Las Vegas Institute for
  • Advanced Dental Studies
Read More

Featured Patients

Before Case
Before
After Case
After
Before Case
Before
After Case
After
See More

Did You Know?

Above all else, Dr. Barthman wants for you to have a beautiful, new smile. Prevention is the key to staying healthy and so we recommend the following tips to get you on your way:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  • Chew sugarless gum instead of sugary varieties.
  • Floss daily and if possible, after every meal.
  • Prevent plaque and cavities by reducing your daily intake of sweet snacks.
  • Schedule a cleaning and oral examination with Dr. Barthman once a year.

 

Dental Bridges for the Front Teeth vs. Molars

October 02, 2018 @ 11:21 AM -- by Dr. Jean Barthman
Tagged with: Dental Bridges

Digital illustration of dental bridge being placedGaps and spaces between your teeth not only detract from your appearance, they can also have a negative impact on your oral health and function. Patients who are missing one to three consecutive teeth can fill in these gaps with dental bridges, one of the most common treatments in restorative dentistry.

Here, Dr. Jean E. Barthman explores dental bridges for the front teeth vs. the molars, and explains how our Redwood City, CA patients can choose the most effective restoration for their needs.

Restoring Front Teeth with a Dental Bridge

The front teeth, often referred to as the social six, are the most visible when you smile. Therefore, it is important to achieve optimal aesthetics when replacing teeth in this area.

Though the front teeth are used to bite into food, they are not under as much pressure as the back teeth, which help grind up food for digestion.

As a result, there are several different types of bridges that can effectively restore the front teeth, including:

  • Conventional dental bridges: Used in restorative dentistry for decades, traditional bridges are comprised of artificial teeth (pontics) that are held in place with two dental crowns. The crowns are bonded to the adjacent natural teeth, and the pontics fill the gap between the teeth. In order to place this type of bridge, the natural teeth must be slightly altered.
  • Maryland bridges: To avoid the alteration of natural teeth, a Maryland bridge may be recommended. A Maryland bridge is bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth using composite resin wings. This prevents the need for enamel removal, thereby preserving overall oral health. It is important to note, however, that Maryland bridges are not as stable as traditional bridges. As a result, they are not recommended for those missing more than one tooth.
  • Cantilever bridges: The main difference between a conventional and cantilever bridge is that a cantilever bridge only has one dental crown. Rather than being bonded to both adjacent teeth, this restoration is only bonded to one. As a result, the pontic extends across the gap to complete your smile. This type of restoration is not common.

Restoring Molars with a Dental Bridge

As aforementioned, the back teeth have chewing power. Therefore, a strong restoration is necessary to replace teeth in this area.

For the majority of patients, a traditional dental bridge will be used to restore missing molars. These restorations provide the most effective support for chewing forces.

Implant-supported Dental Bridges

Whether you are replacing teeth in the front or back of your jaw, implant-supported restorations offer the most reliable results.

An implant-supported bridge is connected to dental implants instead of natural teeth. As a result, the patient’s natural tooth structure is preserved for optimal health.

During a consultation at our practice, Dr. Barthman can help you determine if an implant-supported restoration is right for you.

Contact Our Practice for More Information

Thinking about replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge? Find out more about these restorations by calling our office at (650) 367-4967.