What is Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are used to replace lost teeth. They can improve your attractiveness, your chewing performance, and your dental health. Crowns (which fit over your natural teeth on either side of the gap) and artificial teeth (which “bridge the gap” in your smile) make up a dental bridge.

Dental bridges are one of the most effective ways to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth (or several false teeth) that is held in place by dental implants or two or more crowns affixed to neighboring teeth. The artificial teeth are glued to the crowns, and the crowns are cemented to adjacent teeth, resulting in a robust and stable bridge support.

• Consultation. Your dentist will assess your oral health, discuss your preferences, and recommend the most suitable type of bridge.

• Preparation. If dental crowns are required, the adjacent teeth will be prepared by removing a small amount of enamel to accommodate the crowns.

• Impressions. Precise impressions of your teeth will be taken to create a bridge that fits perfectly in your mouth.

• Temporary Bridge. While your permanent bridge is being crafted, you may receive a temporary bridge to maintain aesthetics and function.

• Final Placement. Once your custom bridge is ready, it will be permanently cemented or secured to dental implants, restoring your smile.

Types of Dental Bridges

• Traditional dental bridge. This is the most widely used type of dental bridge. It is made up of dental crowns (caps) on both ends and pontics (fake teeth) in the middle. The crowns are attached to your natural teeth on each side of the gap (abutments), and the prosthetic teeth (pontics) fill in the area between. Traditional dental bridges are used when you have healthy natural teeth on both sides of the gap.

• Cantilever dental bridge. A conventional bridge is similar to a cantilever bridge. But there is only one crown, not two. As a result, when your dentist attaches the bridge to your abutment teeth, the artificial tooth (pontic) “hangs over” or spans the gap. Cantilever bridges are used by dentists when you only have natural teeth on one side of a gap. Cantilever bridges are not as robust as regular bridges due to their design.

• Implant-supported bridge. An implant-supported bridge is comparable to a typical bridge, except that it is supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth. Dental implants are little threaded posts that replace the roots of lost teeth. Before you may attach a bridge to your dental implants, they must totally integrate (fuse) with your jawbone. This process typically takes three to six months, but it can take longer depending on your circumstances. When you have three or more missing teeth in a row, your dentist may recommend implant-supported bridges.

• Maryland dental bridge. Also called resin-bonded bridge secures your bridge with metal wings rather than crowns. To keep your bridge in place, your dentist will glue the wings to the backs of your neighboring teeth. Maryland bridges are commonly used by dentists to replace front teeth. These appliances are insufficiently sturdy to sustain the chewing forces of rear teeth.

Pros of Dental Bridges

• Tooth Bridges Are Easy to Place. Most people only need to make two trips to the dentist. During the first appointment, your dentist will take moulds of your teeth and file your adjacent teeth to make them suitable for crowns. Then on your second visit, your dentist will fit the bridge. 

• Comfortable Feeling. Bridges not only seem natural, but they are also as pleasant as your original teeth. You can generally eat, speak, and chew without feeling self-conscious. And you won’t have to spend much time getting acclimated to your dental bridge; it should feel natural as soon as the anesthesia from the treatment wears off.

• Prevent Bone Loss. However, by using a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth or teeth, your jawbone will not deteriorate or lose density. It will be equally as powerful as if your natural teeth were still present.

• Prevent Your Teeth from Moving out of Alignment. By employing a dental bridge to cover that gap, you can keep your teeth from shifting out of place.

• Easy to Maintain. Your bridge should be straightforward to maintain as long as you maintain a decent dental care practice and contact your dentist for check-ups and hygienist appointments on a regular basis.

• Long-Term. Most dental bridges last between five and fifteen years, but you can extend their life by taking good care of them.

The Cons of Dental Bridges 

• Tooth Bridges Aren’t Lasting. Dental bridges can last for more than ten years, however they are not indestructible. To keep your smile healthy, you’ll need to replace your bridge every five to fifteen years or so. Replacing your bridge also protects the teeth beneath the crowns from wear and strain.

• Healthy Teeth Will Require Filing. Before placing a dental bridge, your dentist will need to file down the teeth on each side of your missing teeth so that crowns may be installed. Once your teeth have been filed, you will always need a crown glued to them.

• There Is a Slight Risk of Nerve Damage. Nerve injury is an extremely rare complication connected with dental bridges. The surgery may cause nerve damage beneath your gums, necessitating root canal treatment in the future. However, nerve injury is only experienced by a small number of persons as a result of dental bridges.

• Flossing a Dental Bridge Can Be Difficult. While keeping dental bridges is normally simple, flossing can be challenging. Dental bridges, unlike dental implants, are not rooted in your gums, thus plaque can accumulate between the underside of the bridge and your gums. To maintain the underside of the bridge clean, you may need to utilize specialized procedures and products.