What is the Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a type of restoration designed specifically for combatting tooth loss. Bridges can be set directly on top of natural teeth or dental implants, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced.
Functionally, bridges are a pair of porcelain dental crowns with a false crown suspended between them, essentially creating a “bridge” that spans the open space in your smile.
Dental Bridges for Missing Teeth
Usually bridges only replace one tooth, but it’s not uncommon to restore 2-3 at a time (especially when paired with dental implants.)
Implant-supported bridge designs help eliminate the need for partial dentures, while our dentist may use a traditional bridge over natural teeth if they’re also in need of dental crowns (for protective support.)
What is a Bridge Made From?
Most of today's dental bridge procedures involve quality porcelain materials, especially if the teeth are visible when you smile. More traditional bridges sometimes incorporate porcelain fused to a metal base. Fortunately, today’s porcelain materials are quite durable, helping to eliminate the need for visible metals in crown or bridge work.
Time Requirements for a Bridge Procedure
Getting dental crowns and bridges typically involves two appointments a couple of weeks apart from one another.
While your permanent bridge is being crafted in the lab, our dentist may need to fit you with a temporary bridge. If the process involves dental implant surgery, a removable healing partial denture can serve as your “false tooth” as everything integrates.
Types of Bridgework
Traditional Bridge
Traditional porcelain bridges are like a row of 3-4 dental crowns fused side by side. The materials are similar to what you would see in porcelain veneers, white dental fillings, or a CEREC onlay. The ceramic closely matches your natural smile for the best aesthetics. Conventional styles may have a metal base. If you’re trying to avoid partial dentures, our dentist can fit the bridge on top of an implant on either end. Each tooth on the bridge is shaped for optimal function and cosmetic results for that individual patient. And yes, they’re usually covered by your dental insurance. As long as your oral health care is great and you keep gum disease in check, you can expect your dental restoration to last for several years.
Maryland bridge
If you’re missing a front tooth that’s visible when you smile, but the adjacent teeth do not need to be reshaped to support a missing tooth, a Maryland bridge may be your best option. This new bridge design has actually been around for several years. It can use a dental crown in place of a full bridge or even the patient’s natural tooth. On either side of the tooth/crown, there are small wings that extend behind the adjacent supporting teeth, instead of reshaping those teeth to serve as abutments. This improves the health of neighboring teeth while keeping costs conservative for the patient. Most dentists do not recommend Maryland bridges unless they are being used for temporary dental health purposes.
Implant supported bridge:
An implant-supported bridge fills in 3-4 missing teeth and is attached to a dental implant (abutment) on either end of the dental restoration. In this case, the overall support in your mouth comes from your implants being set directly into your jawbone. These “false teeth” are extremely durable, allowing you to enjoy a boost in oral health, perks of cosmetic dentistry, and being able to enjoy all of your favorite foods. Implant-supported bridges fill in fewer teeth than full mouth Click Tight™ implants.
Cantilever bridge:
Do you need to replace one tooth, but there isn’t a pair of teeth on either side? If you have one healthy, stable tooth with good oral health (and adequate bone support,) we can use a cantilever bridge that supports single false teeth on one side of a functional dental crown. Without two abutment teeth, the single-tooth bridge is only supported on one side. This type of bridge option is used far less frequently. However, there are cases where this type of restoration is required, especially if someone does not qualify for a dental implant or root canal. With proper care, different types of porcelain dental restorations can be supported by single adjacent teeth.
How much does a dental bridges cost?
A dental bridge can cost between $1500 - $2539 depending on a variety of factors.
Oral Hygiene Around Bridges, Dental Implants
Whether you have a traditional (tooth supported) or implant-supported bridge, your home care and hygiene are extremely important. Every bridge treatment should make a point to clean carefully around each of the “crowns”, around the base near the gums, and under the suspended tooth.
Although bridges don’t decay, the gums and jawbone surrounding them are still susceptible to plaque bacteria. Investing in a water flosser can make the home care process as effective as possible.
