What is a dental bridge

If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close — or bridge — the gaps in your smile with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically they are made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.

There are four main types of dental bridges:

• traditional
• cantilever
• Maryland
• implant-supported

Traditional dental bridge

A traditional dental bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth being held in place by dental crowns that have been cemented onto each of the abutment teeth. A traditional bridge is the most popular type of dental bridge and can be used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing tooth.

Advantages

This will provide you with an excellent aesthetic result and good long-term prognosis.

Disadvantages

The preparation will involve drilling on healthy tooth tissue that otherwise would not need to have anything done to it.

Cantilever dental bridge

Although similar to a traditional bridge, the pontic in a cantilever dental bridge is held in place by a dental crown that is cemented to only one abutment tooth. For a cantilever bridge, you only need one natural tooth next to the missing tooth gap.

Maryland dental bridge

Similar to a traditional bridge, Maryland dental bridges employ two natural abutment teeth, one on each side of the gap. However, while a traditional bridge uses dental crowns on the abutment teeth, a Maryland bridge uses a framework of either metal or porcelain that is bonded onto the backs of the abutment teeth.

Like a traditional bridge, a Maryland bridge can only be used when you have a natural tooth on each side of the gap caused by the missing tooth or teeth.

Advantages

The preparation will involve very little reduction of teeth.

Disadvantages

The bridge is likely to require re-bonding periodically when it comes off at some stage. The aesthetic result can also be poor with this type of restoration sometimes.

Implant-supported dental bridge

As the name implies, implant-supported bridges use dental implants as opposed to crowns or frameworks. Typically, one implant is surgically placed for every missing tooth and these implants hold the bridge in position. If one implant for each missing tooth isn’t possible, the bridge may have a pontic suspended between two implant-supported crowns.

Considered the strongest and most stable system, an implant-supported bridge commonly requires two surgeries:

• one to embed the implants in the jawbone
• a second surgery to place the bridge

It can take a number of months for the procedure to be completely finished.

Typically, an implant is the treatment of choice as it is very predictable, does not involve any damage to adjacent teeth, and will last many years if looked after. Removable bridges or dentures are less ideal as they can promote collection of plaque and food debris around the adjacent teeth, but all these solutions have their place in the appropriate situation. Your dentist will always advise and discuss all the alternatives available to you.

What does a dental bridge cost?

There are many variables that can affect the price including:

• number of teeth needed to fill the gap
• materials used, such as composite resin, zirconia, or metal alloy covered in resin
• complexity/difficulty of the placement
• additional treatments for other dental issues, such as gum desease
• location

A dental bridge may need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years, depending on proper care, while implants are considered a permanent solution. There are factors that can reduce the life of all types of bridges, including implants, such as dental hygiene.

Why do I need a dental bridge?

When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, it can affect you in a number of ways. A dental bridge can address those changes, including:

• restoring your smile
• restoring the ability to properly chew
• restoring your speech and pronunciation
• maintaining the shape of your face
• re-adjusting your bite to properly distribute the force when you chew
• preventing your remaining teeth from moving out of the correct position

If you’re missing a tooth or a number of teeth, you have different replacement options to discuss with your dentist. There are many benefits to using dental bridges and there are many factors — including costs — that you should consider before making a decision.

To learn more about our dental bridges procedures email us at info@marialalousi.com to arrange a consultation