Dental Bridges

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a false tooth or teeth (also known as a pontic) that is anchored to adjacent teeth in order to replace one or more missing teeth. The neighbouring teeth are fitted with crowns which are fused to the false tooth, thus making a sort of ‘bridge’. So a dental bridge is usually made up of two crowns which serve to anchor the false tooth in place.

What are the main types of Dental Bridge?
There are three main types of dental bridge:

  1. Traditional Fixed Dental Bridge
    This is the most common type of dental bridge. It consists of a pontic that is fused between two porcelain crowns that are fixed on to adjacent teeth. The pontic itself is generally made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramics and, once fixed in the mouth, it cannot be removed.
  2. Resin Bonded Dental Bridge
    These are sometimes known as Maryland bonded dental bridges. The new tooth is usually made from plastic and is fixed to the adjacent teeth via metal bands that are fixed to the adjacent teeth using dental resin. This type of dental bridge is particularly suitable for replacement of front teeth where stress is minimal and the bond can be made out of view behind the neighbouring teeth.
  3. Cantilever Dental Bridge
    A cantilever bridge is used one there are healthy teeth only on one side of the gap. The bridge is fixed to one or more teeth on this side. A cantilever dental bridge has less strength than a traditional dental bridge, and is therefore usually used in areas of less stress, such as the front teeth.

How are dental bridges fitted?
In order to have a dental bridge fitted, you will require at least two visits to your dentist.
On your first visit, the teeth on either side of the space will be prepared in order to accommodate the new crowns which will anchor the bridge in place. The dentist will then use dental putty to take an impression of the are. This will be sent to a dental laboratory and used to make the dental bridge and supporting crowns. At this stage, your dentist will also consult with you in order to pick the correct shading for the new bridge so that it matches your existing teeth colour. A temporary bridge will then be fitted.
On your second visit, the temporary dental bridge will be removed, and the custom made one will be fitted and checked for fit and bite. Once it has been adjusted accordingly, it will be fitted into place using dental cement.
Your dentist may use temporary cement initially, and once the bridge has proved to be a good fit, it will then be cemented in place permanently on a future visit.

How long does a dental bridge last?
Providing you look after it by following good dental hygiene and making regular visits to your dentist, a dental bridge can last for 10-15 years.

What are the advantages of a dental bridge?
The advantages of a dental bridge are as follows:

  1. They look natural. A good quality, well fitted dental bridge will look just like a normal tooth
  2. Having a dental bridge fitted is not a complicated procedure
  3. A dental bridge will last for 10-15 years if looked after properly
  4. A dental bridge can improve your appearance and help to resolve bite and speech problems

What are the disadvantages of a dental bridge?
The disadvantages of a dental bridge are as follows:

  1. Neighbouring teeth have to be prepared in order to accommodate the anchoring crowns
  2. The teeth and gums around the area can become infected if proper dental hygiene is not maintained

Tags: