What is a zirconia bridge? Should I use it? If you are missing a tooth or many teeth, you may feel ashamed to smile or laugh in the company of others. You may also undergo chewing or find that you unexpectedly lisp or whistle when you speak. If your missing teeth are keeping you back from enjoying your life, then it’s an opportunity for a bridge. One of best the options is Zirconia bridges. Let’s find out in this article!
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.
What Is Zirconia?
Zirconia is a white solid ceramic glaze and one of several newer materials that combine metal’s strength with the aesthetic, tooth-like appeal of porcelain.If you want a long-lasting veneer treatment, zirconia veneers will be one of the best solutions for you.
What is a Zirconia bridge?
In comparison to other types of bridges, Zirconia Bridge has been recognized as having the highest quality of bridge that is solid, long-lasting, and visually appealing. It is frequently preferred over metal ceramic bridges because it causes less tooth irritation and lacks the dreaded gray line around the gum line. This is a disadvantage of using a bridge for many people. However, an all-ceramic bridge or the highly rated zirconia bridge can be used to avoid this.
Zirconia bridges’ advantages
The main benefits are a strong, long-lasting, and attractive bridge that blends in with the rest of your teeth. The material used to make this bridge is ‘biocompatible,’ which means it is gentle on living tissue within your body and will not cause any negative effects, such as an allergic reaction. Besides, there are some extra benefits:
- Creates a real appearance that resembles or improves the original tooth
- Replaces a broken or cracked tooth to its original shape
- Replaces a missing one or more teeth or all teeth in the mouth
- Stronger than Porcelain rehabilitation
- Improves chewing capability
- Very useful for masking highly discolored teeth
- Indicated for patients with a history of grinding or clenching
- Low tooth wear of opposing teeth
- Less tooth extraction is needed for pure zirconia crowns
- Resists staining from coffee, tea, cigarette smoke, red wine, and more
- Straightens crooked teeth
- Closes minor gaps between teeth
Zirconia bridges’ disadvantages
One issue is cost, as this type of bridge may be more expensive than a standard metal ceramic bridge. Ceramic is a strong, long-lasting material, but the surface of the crowns can become rough, rubbing against natural teeth.
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.
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.
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.
How long does the zirconia bridge last?
Zirconia is the strongest and most durable material for dental bridges. With proper care and good oral hygiene, your Zirconia Dental Bridge can last 10 – 15 years or even longer.
Is zirconia good for bridges?
Zirconia can be the ideal choice for bridge restorations provided the proper selection and preparation is followed. These CAD/CAM-generated restorations provide an excellent and very precise marginal fit which when combined with exceptional aesthetics can help to increase patient satisfaction.
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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