Types of Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges provide an effective solution for replacing lost teeth. By keeping nearby ones from shifting into any gaps that result, dental bridges allow your chewing process to stay intact while improving appearance and helping with speech clarity.

Traditional dental bridges consist of two crowns covering healthy teeth on either side of a gap; these abutment teeth support a false tooth known as pontic, which sits in between.

Teeth on Both Sides

Dental bridges offer a functional solution to gaps left by missing teeth while simultaneously improving your smile’s aesthetics. Constructed to replace one or more missing teeth, dental bridges typically include one false tooth in the center with crowns on either side crafted to closely resemble your natural tooth shape, color and size.

Traditional fixed dental bridges are the most frequently used dental prostheses and feature two or more artificial teeth connected by crowns that are attached to adjacent natural teeth. This form of dental bridge works best when both sides of a gap have healthy natural teeth that don’t need replacing; however, dentists must remove some enamel to prepare adjacent natural teeth for this type of bridge, leaving them more prone to decay and sensitivity than before.

If both sides of your gap contain unhealthy teeth, we may suggest an implant supported bridge as an option to strengthen and more comfortably replace it. This option uses implants anchored into your jawbone as anchors for the replacement bridge instead of natural teeth for greater strength and greater comfort. Unfortunately, two surgeries and several weeks to months for recovery is usually necessary before going forward with it.

Bridges come in various varieties, allowing us to find one that will meet your specific needs. We offer Maryland bridges as an alternative option that offer the same benefits of regular dental bridges without needing to file down adjacent teeth first.

Since bridges are permanent fixtures, it is vital that they are kept in good condition. Brushing, flossing and using antiseptic mouthwash regularly will reduce the risk of decay underneath them and regular dental cleaning schedules will allow your dentist or hygienist to detect issues early when they’re less likely to lead to complications like tooth loss.

Porcelain

Porcelain dental bridges offer an aesthetic solution to missing teeth. Crafted from translucent porcelain material that blends beautifully with the enamel of natural teeth, your dentist will discuss all benefits and drawbacks during a consultation appointment.

Porcelanin dental bridges are durable, attractive, and easy to care for – often lasting decades with proper oral hygiene practices and regular visits from your dentist.

Porcelain stands out for its beauty. You can customize its hues to mirror those of your natural teeth for an attractive smile that boosts self-confidence.

Johann Joachim von Tschirnhaus was a German potter who developed the formula for solid porcelain production during the 1500s. He began by mixing white clay and alabaster and recording the ratios in his notebook; later adding other minerals for color and texture effects. Furthermore, he pioneered biscuit firing, which baked porcelain at lower temperatures than traditional kiln firing and proved more cost-effective and time efficient than both processes.

Richard de Waal describes porcelain’s history as being filled with wonder and beauty in his book, The Decorative Arts of Today. De Waal writes that porcelain “holds power, beauty, greed, destiny and love”. De Waal mentions Lenin drinking coffee from a white porcelain cup during an espresso session and Louis XIV making love on a bed decorated with Chinese birds when making love to his mistresses.

Traditional bridges comprise crowns for each tooth or implant on either side of a gap, connected by a pontic. Porcelain fused to metal is often chosen due to its durability and aesthetic benefits; many of our patients enjoy its use.

At your first appointment, your dentist will prepare and reduce the abutment teeth (natural teeth on which a bridge rests) for restoration. An impression will also be taken, along with a model of the bridge in order to provide an accurate blueprint. In addition, a temporary bridge may be provided while your permanent restoration is made in a laboratory.

Metal

Metal bridges consist of a metallic framework with false teeth attached. Usually attached to natural teeth on either side of a missing tooth with dental crowns, sometimes additional crowns or implants may need to be added as reinforcement for strength. They can be constructed using gold alloys or porcelain and can either be fixed or removable bridges.

This bridge, often referred to as a Maryland bridge, can be an excellent option for people who wish to avoid the discomfort associated with dental implants. A Maryland bridge may also be beneficial if your existing teeth don’t make ideal candidates. At an appointment, a dentist will file down adjacent (abutment) teeth before fitting and checking fit of new bridge. Finally, its wings are adhered to these surfaces using dental cement bonding adhesive for a final step of securing.

After an initial adjustment period, patients can become comfortable with their bridges and accept them as part of their mouth structure. Beyond cosmetic benefits, bridges also enhance function: chewing and eating become easier as gaps in teeth are filled in with bridges; any speech problems caused by gaps can also be alleviated by having bridges as they aid speech production.

Dental bridges are generally easy to maintain once adjusted. Like natural teeth, dental bridges should be cleaned using a toothbrush as part of a daily oral care routine, or they can also be kept hygienic using denture cleaner or soaking solution. Sticky foods such as candy and gum may cause the bridges to come apart from their abutment teeth and detach from them altogether.

Dental bridges can last for many years and are one of the most effective ways of replacing missing teeth. Unfortunately, however, they won’t last forever so regular evaluations should be performed to assess replacement or repair needs. Furthermore, good oral hygiene practices must also be maintained so as to avoid decay and gum disease that compromise the support structure of a bridge.

Implants (Dental Bridges)

If you are missing one or more teeth, chewing can become difficult and even painful. This may occur as surrounding teeth shift into the gap in order to fill it, food collects in there causing gum damage or shifting surrounding teeth into it and cause more issues. A dental bridge may provide extra comfort while eating as it prevents other teeth from shifting into that gap and creating further issues.

Bridges can generally be divided into two distinct types, traditional and implant-supported. Traditional bridges utilize dental crowns on both sides of a gap to anchor its pontic (replacement tooth). This option works best when both healthy teeth on either side are present – cantilever bridges may also be an option when you can’t anchor both ends to teeth in close proximity to one another.

An implant-supported bridge is secured to dental implants instead of surrounding teeth, providing more stability and long-term durability than its traditional counterpart. Dental implants can replace one or more missing teeth and are ideal for patients without dentures who possess good enough bone structure to support an implant-supported bridge.

At our practice, both types of bridges begin with an extensive exam and x-rays. If necessary, a mold will also be taken of your mouth to ensure the bridge fits comfortably in your bite. Two healthy teeth on either side of the gap must also be filed down in preparation for dental bridge. Once our lab creates our bridge, pontic, and crowns we will schedule another appointment to install them using special dental cement to keep them securely in place.

Procedure for receiving a dental bridge should be relatively painless. We use local anesthetic to numb your mouth and gums before altering your natural teeth, and you should expect some discomfort while your bridge heals, which usually takes about a week. You should avoid chewing on it during this period to prevent tearing it or damaging the implant, while practicing excellent oral hygiene and visiting our office on regular visits for professional maintenance of your bridge.