Dental Bridge and 4 Types of Dental Bridge

What is a dental bridge?

Dental bridges connect two teeth around the missing tooth position, repairing one or more missing teeth. The dentist will next need to file down the enamel of the surrounding tooth in order to receive a crown that will connect to the ceramic bridge.

In addition, if you’ve lost a lot of teeth, your dentist could first place the implant before putting in the dental bridge.

Numerous materials, including metal, titanium, ceramic, and porcelain, can be used to create bridges. Strengths and traits will vary depending on the kind.

Dental bridge vs Dental implant

Dental bridges are a type of prosthetic appliance used to repair one or more lost teeth. They are frequently made of metal, such as gold, silver, ceramic, or porcelain. Dental bridges are attached to the teeth or an implant that covers the empty space, and they can only be removed by a dentist. This is unlike removable prosthetic devices like dentures.

The component of a dental implant used to hold a bridge is referred to as the abutment. Abutments serve as anchor points for the bridge. The pontic, which functions as a replacement tooth, is then attached to the bridge that covers the abutments. If a dental implant is not used, a dental bridge is generally connected by first polishing the surfaces of the teeth to prepare them for the bridgework.

Traditional bridges, resin-bonded bridges, and cantilever bridges are the three types of dental bridges. Traditional bridges are the most common type, and they are often made of porcelain linked to metal or ceramic materials.

Porcelain is the most common material used to construct crowns and bridges. It is constructed of a tooth-like material that may be matched to the color of your genuine teeth. Porcelain may be fashioned to look like real tooth enamel and serve as a solid base for your bridge.

Dental porcelain is a powerful form of bridge that, like strong, natural teeth, can survive whatever you consume. Furthermore, porcelain possesses a whiteness similar to that of glass, which reflects light and provides the appearance of true tooth enamel. Because of its endurance, porcelain dental bridges are an excellent prosthesis. Porcelain dental bridges are a simple and effective way to restore missing teeth.

Although it is widely assumed that utilizing porcelain bridges is risk-free, there are certain potential dangers to be aware of. Make an appointment with your cosmetic dentist and learn about the safety precautions for the specific dental bridge surgery you are considering.

Dental bridge types

There are four main types of dental bridges:

• Traditional
• Cantilever
• Maryland
• Implant-supported

Traditional dental bridge

A typical dental bridge is made up of dental crowns glued to each of the abutment teeth, which hold a fake tooth or teeth in place. A conventional bridge is the most popular type of dental bridge, and it can be used when you still have strong teeth on either side of the gap caused by your missing tooth.

Cantilever dental bridge

Cantilever dental bridges are similar to traditional bridges in that just one abutment tooth serves as the anchor for the pontic, which is secured in place by a dental crown. You just need one healthy tooth next to the gap left by the lost tooth to support a cantilever bridge.

Maryland dental bridge

Maryland dental bridges, like traditional bridges, employ two healthy teeth as abutment teeth, one on each side of the gap. In contrast to a traditional bridge, which uses dental crowns on the abutment teeth, a Maryland bridge uses a metal or porcelain framework that is bonded to the backs of the abutment teeth.

A Maryland bridge may only be utilized, like a standard bridge, if there is a natural tooth on either side of the gap left by the lost tooth or teeth.

Implant-supported dental bridge

Implant-supported bridges, as the name implies, are supported by dental implants rather than frames or crowns. For each missing tooth, one implant is normally surgically implanted, and this implant keeps the bridge in place. If one implant for each missing tooth is not viable, a pontic may be attached between two implant-supported crowns.

An implant-supported bridge, which is considered the strongest and most stable instrument, frequently necessitates two operations:

• One to insert the implants in the jawbone
• A second surgery to place the bridge

The entire process may take many months to complete.

What does a dental bridge cost?

There are several factor that can decide the price including:

• Number of teeth needed to fill the gap
• Materials used, such as composite resin, zirconia, or metal
• Difficulty of the placement
• Additional treatments 
• Geographic location

The price also changes depending on the bridge type you choose:

• One pontic and a crown for each abutment tooth are commonly included in traditional or cantilever bridge prices ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
• Maryland bridges generally range in price from $1,500 to $2,500 for a single pontic with the wings linked to the abutment teeth.
• An implant-supported bridge could cost $5,000 – $15,000 for a bridge with two dental implants spanning three or four teeth.

Q&A

What is better: a bridge or implant?

Dental bridges are more likely to be covered by insurance and need a lesser initial investment. If money isn’t an issue and your overall health is good, dental implants may be a better option because they last longer and don’t affect surrounding teeth.

Why is a bridge not recommended?

Because bridges are above the gum line, the jawbone will continue to degenerate. Implants are permanent, whereas bridges are not. Bridges have a maximum lifespan of about 15 years, whereas dental implants are expected to survive for more than 25 years.

Which is the less painful bridge or implant?

There are a few advantages to using a dental bridge. This simple procedure does not need surgery (unlike implants). As a result, obtaining a bridge is significantly less painful than getting an implant. Furthermore, the process is rather quick.

Why does a doctor prefer bridge over implant?

In circumstances when you have two damaged teeth next to the missing tooth, a dental bridge may be preferable than an implant. This is due to the fact that such teeth require crowns for additional security. Bridges are more adjustable when it comes to altering the color of more than two teeth at an affordable cost.

What is the disadvantage of bridge?

Tooth decay occurs when a bridge does not fit properly. During the preparation, your abutment teeth are weakened to make way for the dental crowns. If your abutment teeth are not strong enough, the restoration may collapse.

Do bridges weaken teeth?

Traditional bridges require natural teeth to be covered with crowns. During the shaving down and capping of the healthy teeth on each side of the bridge, some healthy tooth enamel will be lost. This increases the risk of irreversible damage to other healthy teeth.

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