Dental Bridges
Bridging the Gap – What is a Dental Bridge?
It’s all in the name, a dental bridge is exactly that! It will bridge a gap in your smile. If you’re missing multiple teeth in one area and you’re thinking of replacing them, a dental bridge could be the solution.
Your dentist can craft a custom set of teeth that will match the exact shade of your remaining teeth, giving you a more natural and authentic look.
The Two Parts that Make Up a Dental Bridge Are:
- Abutments which are the teeth adjacent to the gap that serve as supports for the dental bridge.
- Pontics which are fake teeth that replace missing teeth in the bridge.
How many abutments and pontics you will require depends on your specific situation and the type of dental bridge you are opting for.
4 Types of Dental Bridges
Depending on your specific situation, there are multiple bridge options available to you. The four most common are:
- The Traditional Bridge is the most common type, where there are crowns connected to your natural teeth which sit on both sides of the gap, with fake teeth filling in the middle.
- The Cantilever Bridge is almost like a traditional bridge; however, with this method, there’s only one crown on one end, not one on each. This is done when you only have a natural tooth on one side of the gap.
- A Maryland Dental Bridge will use metal flap-like materials rather than crowns. These flaps are connected to the back of the teeth near the gap. This method is more commonly used to replace front teeth as the materials used are not strong enough to endure the chewing required from back teeth,
- An Implant-Supported Bridge sits on top of dental implants rather than natural teeth. To connect your bridge to your implants, the implants must already be fully healed in the jawbone, which can take up to six months.
Several Different Factors Determine Which Type You Need
A few things will be considered while figuring out which type of dental bridge you need. Things such as:
- Age – most dentists will not recommend a dental bridge for anyone under 18
- Number of teeth missing
- Gap size
- Quality and condition of the surrounding teeth
- Overall tooth and gum health
Once your dentist has determined the best methods available to you, you can decide which one to pursue.
What Can You Expect from the Procedure?
The steps differ for each dental bridge procedure and the option you choose will determine what the process entails. Here are the steps for each type:
Traditional/Cantilever Bridge:
These are the most common methods and are done the same way, only requiring two appointments. However, it involves more alteration of the surrounding teeth.
- You’ll be given a local anesthesia.
- The natural teeth supporting your bridge will be re-shaped for a better fit. Your dentist will then take dental impressions and send them to a lab technician to create your bridge.
- A temporary bridge will then be placed until the final version is developed and sent back, which can take around 2 weeks.
- Once your bridge has been created, your second appointment will consist of removing the temporary bridge, ensuring a good fit with your new bridge, and bonding it with dental cement.
Maryland Bridge:
The Maryland Bridge option is similar to Traditional/Cantilever procedures but much less invasive, with minimal alteration to the surrounding teeth.
- A small amount of enamel will be removed from the surrounding teeth for a better fit.
- Dental impressions will be made and sent to a lab technician.
- Your dentist will place a temporary bridge until the custom bridge is created.
- On your second appointment, your custom bridge will be fitted.
- The bridge flaps will then be bonded to the back of the surrounding teeth.
Implant-Supported Bridge:
This is the more complex of the group, involving multiple appointments. However, it requires zero alterations to the surrounding natural teeth and is suitable for replacing larger gaps.
- Your first visit will consist of your dentist taking x-rays and ensuring the state of your teeth and jawbone can endure the procedure.
- From here, your first surgery will require having the implants placed, followed by a healing process so the implant can fuse with your jawbone, which could take three to six months. During this time, you will have healing caps over the implants which allow the gum tissue to heal correctly.
- Once the implants have fully healed and integrated with your jawbone, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and implants. A model will then be created and used to design and fabricate your custom bridge.
- On your final visit, your custom bridge will be ready. Your dentist will check the fit, appearance, and bite of the completed bridge before securely holding it in place with dental cement or tiny screws.
They’re Designed to Look as Real as Possible
Dental bridges are not removable and will give you a natural look and feel. This is in part because they use crowns and implants, which are designed to resemble real teeth as much as possible, making them a very viable option for replacing multiple missing teeth.
Cost is Between $3000-$4000 for a 3 unit dental bridge (to replace one missing tooth)
This is a varying cost depending on the situation and any additional work that may be needed, such as tooth extraction, and of course, which bridge option you choose or require.
There’s no real way to determine the overall cost until the plan for your procedure is mapped out. We always recommend speaking with your dentist to learn the best options for you.
Your Dental Bridge Could Last 5 to 15 Years
This is the average expectancy, but they can last even longer with the correct care and preservation. Even though they may be referred to as permanent bridges, this does not mean they will last forever. If your dental bridge shows signs of wear or tear, you may need it replaced.
To get the most out of your dental bridge, brush, and floss daily, use non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, avoid very hard and chewy foods, and schedule regular checkups.
Top 3 Benefits of a Dental Bridge
You may be wondering if a dental bridge is worth it. If so, here are some reasons to consider them a viable option for you:
- Dental bridges give you a natural look and feel, providing a solid solution for multiple missing teeth.
- They can give you better chewing and speech functionality depending on the location.
- Dental bridges can assist with preventing the surrounding teeth from shifting into the gap.
A Few Risks to Think About
If you’re curious about the risks of getting a dental bridge, here are a few things to consider:
- Any future damage to your abutment teeth can eventually damage the bridge.
- There’s a chance tooth decay can develop from bacteria or plaque stuck inside the bridge or crown.
- The crowns that come with your dental bridge alters the structure of your teeth
- There’s always the chance that your dental bridge could fail if the supporting teeth are not strong enough.
A dental bridge may be an option if you’re missing multiple teeth, but they come with their fair share of questions. The team at ThirtyTwo Dental are experts in dental bridge procedures and can help you discover the best option.
More Questions? Contact Us Today