People can lose teeth due to various reasons. The most common causes of missing teeth include tooth decay, injury, or gum disease. Some people are also born with missing teeth due to a congenital condition.
The advancements in dentistry have made it possible for such people to replace their missing natural teeth through various methods, including dental bridges.
But what exactly is a dental bridge? How does it work? And, are you a good candidate?
Here’s all you need to know about dental bridges to enable you to make a more informed decision.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a type of dental restoration used to replace missing natural teeth. It fills the gap with one or more artificial (false) teeth and uses the surrounding teeth as support. In essence, a dental bridge is only ideal for you if the surrounding teeth (of the missing teeth) are healthy.
Also known as fixed partial dentures, a dental bridge has two main parts:
- Abutments: These are the teeth that support the bridge. In most cases, these may be your natural teeth or dental implants. Before affixing a dental bridge, you must have abutments on either side of the missing teeth. Abutments are usually fitted with dental crowns, often referred to as ‘retainers.’
- Pontics: These are the false teeth that ‘bridge the gap’ and are placed between the abutments. Depending on the number of missing teeth, you can get one or more pontics. The crowns on the abutments are attached to the pontics with connectors.
Dental Bridges & Procedure Steps
What happens before you get a dental bridge installed? Here is a general dental bridge procedure step by step that you may follow:
- Assessment - this is the first dental bridge procedure. Your dentist will first assess the need for restorative dental treatment to replace missing teeth and whether a dental bridge is an ideal solution. The dentist does this by running a couple of tests.
- Teeth preparation - the dentist reshapes your abutment teeth by removing a part of the enamel, ready for the installation of the dental bridge.
- Impressions - impressions are taken and sent to the lab for a custom dental bridge to be created. You will have a temporary dental bridge to protect the exposed parts of your teeth before your permanent bridge is ready.
- Bridge placement - the dentist removes the temporary bridge and places the permanent one. Your provider will carefully check the dental fixed bridges to ensure they comfortably and safely fit you.
- Follow-up - a follow-up is a crucial step of your dental bridge journey. The dentist needs to ensure you know what to expect and how to care for the bridge.
What Types Of Dental Bridges Are Available?
There are four primary types of dental bridges. The one you get depends on the availability at your dentist’s clinic or your oral health situation. They all serve the same purpose but slightly differ in functionality and procedures.
They include:
Conventional dental bridges
Traditional dental bridges, also known as conventional bridges, are the most popular type of dental bridges. This dental bridge can be used when you have natural teeth on either side of the gap created by the missing tooth.
A traditional bridge involves false teeth held in place by dental crowns cemented onto each abutment tooth. It is mainly made from porcelain fused with metal or ceramics.
The teeth on either side of the gap must be healthy enough to support the bridge. However, both teeth must be reshaped and fitted with the crowns before placing the bridge. This process is irreversible as the enamel does not grow back once it has been reshaped.
Cantilever bridge
A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge. However, it is only attached to an abutment tooth on one side.
When natural teeth are only present on one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge is used so the dental bridge can still be secured.
Like conventional bridges, your dentist needs to prepare the surrounding tooth to support the bridge by reshaping the enamel.
According to the Journal of American Science, this type of bridge is not very common due to the higher chances of complications, such as fractured teeth or loosened crowns.
Maryland bridge
Similar to the other types of dental bridges, the Maryland bridge requires two natural abutment teeth on each side of the gap. However, this dental bridge does not need crowns on the abutment teeth.
Instead, the adhesive or resin-bonded bridge, also known as a Maryland bridge, uses a framework of either metal or porcelain bonded onto the backs of the abutment teeth. The wings on either side of the pontic are attached to the abutment teeth by an adhesive.
This type of dental bridge for teeth is more likely to be used for front teeth, and there’s less prep involved. The dentist doesn’t need to remove any part of the enamel to make room for this bridge, making it a less invasive procedure.
Implant-supported bridge
An implant-supported bridge is similar to a conventional fixed bridge. This is one of the common types of dental implants used to replace missing teeth. However, rather than retainer crowns being placed over the surrounding natural teeth, they’re placed over a dental implant.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
What Is The Cost Of Dental Bridges?
There are four different types of dental bridges, each with its own pricing. However, there are also other factors that may impact the dental bridge cost you will have to pay for your dental bridges, such as:
- The number of missing teeth needed to fill the spaces
- The material used on the bridges, such as zirconia, composite resin, etc.
- The complexity of the procedure
- Your geographic location — urban areas tend to be more expensive, although you can find cheaper options by searching online ‘dental bridges near me.’
All factors considered, the average cost of dental bridges, depending on the type used is:
- Traditional or cantilever bridges: $2,000 – $5,000 for a pontic and crown for each abutment tooth.
- Maryland bridges: $1,500 - $2,500 for a pontic and its framework attached to an abutment tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges: $5,000 - $15,000 for a bridge with approximately two dental implants.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Dental Bridges
Before deciding to get dental bridges, it would be prudent to check their pros and cons.
- Restore the functionality of your teeth (chewing and biting)
- Restore your oral aesthetics
- Cost less than alternatives like dental implants
- No bone grafting is necessary
- They are faster to put in place than other options, like implants
- Traditional bridges require extensive preparation of abutment teeth, which means sacrificing perfectly healthy natural teeth.
- Maryland bridges may cause more damage to the existing teeth.
- Implant-supported bridges take a lot of time and are quite pricey.
- Dental bridges do not correct bone loss in the jaw.
What Can You Use Instead Of A Dental Bridge?
Dentures and implants are the two common prosthetics that can be used to replace missing teeth.
Dentures are less expensive than bridges but can be uncomfortable and inconvenient to wear. In most cases, dentures do not look as natural as a bridge would when replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants tend to be more expensive than bridges. However, you can find cheap dental implants with the right search. When looking at dental bridge vs implants, they provide superior functionality and durability. Moreover, they do not require healthy natural teeth to be altered in any way.
It would be prudent to note that not everyone can be a good candidate for dental implants or dentures, so it is crucial to discuss your options with your dentist beforehand.
Dentures and implants are the two common prosthetics that can be used to replace missing teeth.
Dentures are less expensive than bridges but can be uncomfortable and inconvenient to wear. In most cases, dentures do not look as natural as a bridge would when replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants tend to be more expensive than bridges. However, you can find cheap dental implants with the right search. When looking at dental bridge vs implants, they provide superior functionality and durability. Moreover, they do not require healthy natural teeth to be altered in any way.
It would be prudent to note that not everyone can be a good candidate for dental implants or dentures, so it is crucial to discuss your options with your dentist beforehand.
FAQ
Dental bridges do not change how you speak, as they are only made to replace your missing natural teeth. However, an adjustment period is expected, especially when one moves from having missing teeth to prosthetics.
A dental bridge restores the functionality of your missing natural teeth. Instead of making it more difficult to eat, it makes it easier for you to do other functions you’d do with your teeth much easier, like eating and biting.
Most dental bridges, except temporary bridges, are permanent and not removable. This means you may not remove them as you wish and can only do so at your dentist’s.
Dental bridges have a lifespan of about 5 - 15 years. Experts claim that with proper care, dental bridges can even last a lifetime.
Sources
- British Society for Restorative Dentistry. (2023) Retrieved 25th January from https://www.bsrd.org.uk/Index.aspx
- Types of crown & bridges. (2014) Retrieved 25th January from https://www.slideshare.net/Yumzz/types-of-crown-bridges
- Bridges. (2023) Retrieved 25th January from http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/procedures/bridges_dentures/bridges.asp
- Dental Bridge Cost. (2023) Retrieved 25th January from https://health.costhelper.com/dental-bridge.html
