A cantilever bridge is a fixed bridge that attaches to adjacent teeth on one end only. In order to explain the purpose of a cantilever bridge or how it works it is important to understand what a normal dental bridge is and what it is used for.
A dental bridge is a false tooth known as a pontic which is fused between two porcelain crowns (a porcelain cap which covers the crown of the tooth) to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. The two crowns holding it in place that are attached onto your teeth on each side of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might do with removable partial dentures.
There are three main types of dental bridges all with different uses. In areas of your mouth that are under less stress such as your front teeth a cantilever bridge may be used. Cantilever bridges are used when there are teeth on only one side of the open space. Bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease help correct some bite issues and even improve your speech. Bridges require your commitment to serious oral hygiene but will last as many ten years or more.
A typical type of cantilever bridge is the 3-unit cantilever bridge. This type of bridge consists of two abutment crowns that are positioned side by side on the same side of the missing tooth space. The pontic is then connected to the two crowns which extend into the missing tooth space
It is important to make sure that after having a dental bridge fitted you retain good oral hygiene. Some basic steps that will help to eliminate or reduce any oral health problems include:
Brushing your teeth carefully after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush as food may become lodged causing the gums and teeth to become infected. This infection if left unchecked may lead to further problems resulting in the loss of the bridge.
Flossing helps to reach the “hard-to-reach” places between the bridge and its adjacent teeth. This stops the build up on food and the problems it can cause.
Have your teeth cleaned every 6 months by an oral health professional is also a very good idea as is limiting your intake of sugar and starch as debris left behind from these types of foods may turn into damaging acids which may also be harmful to teeth and gums.
The need for a dental bridge and specifically the cantilever bridge is obvious however a bonus feature of this type of dental procedure is that the appearance after surgery is a natural one. Dental bridges do however have some disadvantages though in that it is common for your teeth to be mildly sensitive to extreme temperatures for a few weeks after the treatment.
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