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| A dental bridge is a prosthesis that permanently replaces a missing tooth with crowns. A fixed bridge consists of two crowns cemented to abutment teeth which are on either side of the missing tooth space and a conectered crown in between. The crowns are what hold the Pontiac/missing tooth in place. Unlike a partial denture the fixed bridge stays cemented in the mouth and does not come out. |
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| Types of Dental Bridges |
Full bridge or Conventional Bridge - A bridge that is made of 3 or more continuous crowns. The missing tooth's crown is suspended between tooth supported crowns
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Maryland Bridge-A Bridge that is attached to the adjacent teeth with metal attachments with minimal tooth reduction. The advantage is that tooth structure is preserved. The main disadvantage to the maryland bridge disadvantage is that it has weak retention and may become uncemented. Maryland bridges are being used less today due to the advances in conventional bridge and implant technology. |
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| Oral Health Benefits of Dental Bridges |
| Replacing a missing tooth has many functional and aesthetic benefits. Replacing a tooth prevents other teeth from shifting and crowding or spacing out. It also improves ones smile dramatially by filling in a dark space caused by a missing tooth. |
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| Risk of Dental Bridges |
| The adjacent teeth need to reduced and can require root canals due to nerve sensitivity. The new bridge provide more pressure on the teeth and must be healthy and without gum disease or they may become loose. If good oral hygiene and dentist visits are kept up is used the teeth will remain healthy. Your dentist will evaluate the adjacent teeth to determine if a bridge is appropriate for you. |
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| Cost Of Dental Bridges |
| The costs of the bridges vary. In most cases insurance will typically pay for some of the costs, but the patient will be responsible for what is not covered by the insurance |
| Materials Used in Dental Bridges |
| Porcelain fused to metal Bridge |
| This type of dental bridge has a rigid metal substructure covered with esthetic porcelain over it. This is stronger and used in most locations and to restore multiple missing teeth. |
| All Porcelain/Zirconia Bridge |
| The all porcelain bridge has a white porcelain or zircon ia substructure and porcelain over it. It is more esthetic and used in the front of the mouth over shorter distances. |
| Dental Bridges Gallery |
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| Who is a Candidate for Dental Bridges? |
| Anyone who has a missing or non-restorable tooth with two healthy teeth adjacent to it. When a tooth is missing and an implant is not an option, a bridge can be made to replace it. The missing tooth is best restored when there is one or more teeth on either side of it because these teeth are used to support the bridge. Good periodontal health is important to the longevity of a bridge. |
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| The Procedure: |
An impression of the open space will be taken. The impression will serve as a model to make a temporary bridge. The temporary bridge is used to protect the gums and teeth until the new bridge is cemented.
This treatment requires placing a crown on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth and attaching the missing crown in between them. The result is a single piece with 3 or more teeth connected. This bridge is then cemented with permanent dental cement like any other crown and does not come out. The procedure will take any where between 2-3 appointments depending on the procedure. The 2nd visits is when the final crown will be cemented. |
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| Aesthetic Benefits of Dental Bridges: |
The aesthetic benefits of having a bridge is that the patient will have the benefit of not having a space that is left from the missing tooth. Unlike a partial denture the bridge is non removable, it will get permanently cemented.
Alternatives to a bridge include implants, partial dentures and space maintainers. Each option has advantages and disadvantages which your dentist will discuss with you. |
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