What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthesis that is cemented to the teeth and used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It's fixed in place and replaces a tooth that was missing or extracted. In other words, in its most basic form, it's three crowns connected to each other to replace one missing tooth.
What is the difference between a bridge and dentures?
The difference between a bridge and dentures is that a bridge is cemented in place. In its most basic form, it is three crowns connected to each other, with crowns that go over two teeth on either side of a missing tooth where there is a gap. A denture also replaces missing teeth, but compared to a bridge, a denture is removable, meaning it can be taken in and out after eating or at night when you go to bed. A bridge is cemented and fixed in place.
What are the pros and cons of dental bridges?
One advantage of a dental bridge compared to a removable partial denture is that the bridge is cemented in place, whereas a partial can be removed and taken out at night or after eating to clean it. Another pro of a bridge is that it can replace multiple missing teeth, as long as the teeth on either end of the space where teeth are missing are in good shape.
A consequence of a bridge is that because all of those teeth are connected, if something happens to one of the anchor teeth on either side of the gap and that tooth is not restorable, the tooth can be lost. In some cases, the bridge can also be lost because the anchor tooth can no longer support it. That's really the main consequence of a bridge.
Another pro of a bridge is that it can be used in some cases where there's not a lot of bone to support another type of fixed prosthesis, such as a dental implant. In cases where there's not a lot of bone or the bone width is very thin, a bridge may be an option because it's not totally reliant on the bone level where the missing tooth is being replaced, whereas an implant requires adequate, healthy bone in the area where it will be placed.
What are the different types of dental bridges?
The different types of dental bridges include a conventional dental bridge that's cemented in place. The bridge can be made from different materials, such as porcelain fused to metal. The crowns of the bridge could be made of gold, zirconia, or ceramic. The differences between them are partly aesthetic, and there are also differences in strength, with pros and cons to each material.
Another type of bridge is an implant-supported bridge, where instead of using teeth as your anchors, the anchors of the bridge are implants. Those are two types of fixed bridges. Another option for replacing missing teeth is a removable prosthesis, such as a partial denture or denture. The difference there, again, is that it's removable.
What are the alternatives to a dental bridge?
The alternatives to a dental bridge are a dental implant, where you have an implant that replaces the missing tooth, or a removable partial denture that can come in and out and be used to replace one, two, or more missing teeth. A bridge is another option for replacing a missing tooth or teeth.
What is the difference between a removable and fixed dental bridge?
A removable dental prosthesis, or partial denture, is something you can take in and out. It's a prosthesis that usually has some metal framework with acrylic over the top and teeth that are either acrylic or ceramic to replace the missing teeth. There is also a flexible-based partial, which is another option in the removable partial denture category. The difference between the two removable options is mainly the material: a metal frame versus a flexible base.
A fixed dental bridge is something that's cemented in place. It's either going to be cemented over two abutment teeth on either side of the gap where a tooth is missing, or it's going to be cemented or screwed to implants that support the bridge.
What is a cantilever dental bridge?
A cantilever dental bridge is a bridge that, instead of connecting on both sides of a tooth where there's a gap, only connects to one tooth. Then there's a crown that replaces the missing tooth, but it's not connected on the second side to another anchor tooth. The benefit of a cantilever bridge is that it's more conservative because you're not prepping down another tooth. It's not used often and is very location-specific. Generally, these are used most effectively in the anterior region, where biting forces are not as strong.
The negative with a cantilever bridge is that because you're only connected to one tooth, it doesn't take as much force to loosen or break that connection between the one anchor tooth and the replacement tooth, called the pontic of the bridge.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge?
The benefits of a dental bridge are that it's a great way to replace a missing tooth or teeth, as long as the anchor teeth on either side of the gap are in good, solid condition, meaning the teeth are healthy, free of decay, and have adequate bone support for the prosthesis.
Another benefit of a dental bridge is that it is cemented in place. It's not removable or something you're going to take out. Aesthetically, it can look very much like a natural tooth. It can look very beautiful compared to a removable metal-frame partial denture, where some of the framework may be visible. It's also less bulky since you don't need that framework.
Another benefit of a bridge compared to an implant is that even though both are fixed in place, the bridge is not as dependent on the bone in the area where the tooth is missing. An implant has to be placed where there's adequate bone to support it in terms of width, height, and the distance between the teeth. A bridge is also concerned with bone, but it's more concerned with the bone around the anchoring teeth, or abutments, of the bridge. Those are really the main benefits: it can look very nice, it's fixed in place, and it's not as dependent on the bone in the missing-tooth area. Healing time for placement of a bridge following an extraction may also be shorter than the healing time needed before placing a dental implant, meaning the replacement tooth may be placed sooner.
How can a dental bridge help patients with gum disease?
A dental bridge may be an option in some cases where a dental implant cannot be placed, depending on the health and bone support of the teeth that will anchor the bridge. A dental implant has to be placed in a location where the bone is adequate in terms of width, height, and its relationship to other teeth and anatomic structures. A bridge is less dependent on the bone in the area of the missing tooth because the anchoring teeth, or abutment teeth, support it.
For someone with gum disease and bone loss, the health and bone support of those anchoring teeth are important considerations. In some cases, a bridge may be an option when the bone in the missing-tooth area is not ideal for an implant.
Is dental bridge work painful?
Everybody is different with their pain tolerance. Generally speaking, it's similar to having a single crown preparation or a filling done. You're going to be numb, and local anesthesia will be given before the procedure begins. The tooth or teeth that are going to be prepared for the anchors of the bridge, or the abutments, are reduced to allow space for the ceramic or porcelain crowns that will go over those teeth, with the pontic, or replacement tooth, in between the two abutments.
Most patients tolerate the procedure well and may have limited discomfort afterward. It's basically like doing two crowns instead of one. All in all, I would say it's not something you should be overly worried about being painful.
What is the dental bridge placement procedure?
The dental bridge placement procedure involves preparing the two abutment teeth. They're reduced in height and width to allow space for the ceramic or porcelain to go over and cap those teeth. Once the teeth are prepped, we're going to make you a temporary bridge. When you leave that day, you will have a bridge in place to recreate the tooth structure that was reduced and also replace the missing tooth.
During that time, the lab is going to fabricate the bridge out of the material that we select, such as ceramic, porcelain, or gold. That generally takes about two weeks or so. Once the preparations are done, we're either going to take an impression or use an intraoral scanner to scan the prepared teeth and eliminate the need for impressions.
A temporary bridge is going to be cemented in place, and you'll leave with it. You'll come back about two to three weeks later. We're going to remove the temporary bridge, remove the temporary cement on the preparations, and then try in the permanent bridge. We'll make sure everything fits correctly, make sure the contact is tight between adjacent teeth so food doesn't collect, check that your bite is right, and, most importantly, make sure the shade is what we were going for so it matches and recreates your smile. Once we have confirmed all of those things, we're going to cement the bridge in place with permanent cement, remove the excess cement, double-check everything, and you'll be on your way.
How long will a dental bridge last?
There's really no way to say exactly how long a dental bridge will last. If you're following very good hygiene, brushing and flossing your teeth, using a water flosser, using floss to clean under the bridge, coming in regularly for your cleanings, and getting regular X-rays to evaluate for the presence of decay, the bridge can last a long time. Doing your part at home and coming in regularly are some of the most important factors that affect the longevity of a dental restoration, including a bridge.
What is the best way to care for your dental bridge?
The best way to care for your dental bridge is by coming in regularly for your cleanings and getting dental X-rays as recommended. Do your part at home with daily brushing and flossing. Use things like water flossers to help clean underneath the bridge or floss threaders to help guide the floss underneath the bridge so you can clean any food debris that might get caught where the replacement tooth, or pontic, is.
Also, make sure you're following a healthy diet and not just eating sugary or highly processed foods, and limit really sugary drinks. You can still have those things in moderation, but you have to make sure you're brushing and flossing. Those are some of the most important things that help with the longevity and proper care of your bridge.
How do I schedule an appointment for a dental bridge?
The best way to schedule an appointment for a dental bridge is by contacting our dental office for a consultation regarding the bridge or requesting an appointment through our website. Once that appointment is made, we will likely take some X-rays to evaluate the area of the missing tooth or teeth and determine the health and stability of the adjacent teeth on either side of the gap. That helps us determine whether a bridge or another option is best suited to your needs. The best time to do this is when you have a missing tooth that you want replaced.
If you're looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (570) 682-5050 or email [email protected]. We're here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!