What Are Cantilever Bridges?
Cantilever bridges are a special type of dental bridge used when only one adjacent tooth is next to the missing tooth. The cantilever bridge design uses the abutment tooth, the tooth where the bridge is attached, and a crown. Cantilever bridges are usually made of ceramic tooth-colored materials and may also use metal underneath the crown.
Indications And Suitability
The indication that you could benefit from a dental cantilever bridge is when you want to replace the missing tooth to help you chew and bite correctly. It is also a suitable solution when you want to replace the missing tooth to have a beautiful smile.
Advantages And Disadvantages
Cantilever bridges have many benefits and some disadvantages you need to be aware of to help you decide if this is the best tooth replacement option. Some of the many benefits include:
- Perfect for single missing teeth: When only a single tooth is missing, and only one tooth is next to the missing one, cantilever bridges are a good option
- Minimal preparation needed: Unlike traditional bridges, where the abutment teeth are altered and reduced to fit the bridge correctly, cantilever bridges only require a slight alteration to the single support tooth, leaving more of its natural structure in place
- Requires less healing time: Since the procedure is not as complex as regular bridges, it requires less healing time before you can enjoy your new replacement tooth
- Better long-term oral health: When there are missing teeth, the other teeth can shift and create gaps. By getting a cantilever bridge, the other teeth are unable to move and shift.
- Cost-effective procedure: Since cantilever bridges only replace a single tooth, they cost less than traditional bridges and implants
While cantilever bridges have many advantages, they also have a few drawbacks, as follows:
- Limitations on use: To use a cantilever bridge, you need healthy gums and a healthy tooth next to where the one is missing. A cantilever bridge is also not recommended when you have abutment teeth on both sides of the missing tooth or when you need to replace multiple missing teeth.
- Potential risk of failure: Since one side of the bridge is unsupported, it could lead to an increased risk of cracking, damage, or becoming unbonded from the abutment tooth if not cared for correctly
