Dental Bridges
Dental bridges serve as a solution for replacing absent teeth. They play a crucial role in restoring the ability to chew, enhancing aesthetic appeal, and promoting better oral health. A dental bridge is composed of crowns that are placed over the natural teeth adjacent to the gap, along with artificial teeth that effectively fill the void in your smile.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device designed to replace one or more missing teeth. This solution effectively “bridges the gap” in your smile, restoring both function and aesthetics. Dentists can craft personalised bridges that seamlessly blend with the colour of your existing teeth, ensuring a natural appearance.
Types of dental bridges
Dental bridges come in various types, each tailored to meet specific oral health needs. The most prevalent type is the traditional dental bridge, which features crowns on both ends and artificial teeth, known as pontics, positioned in between. This type is ideal when healthy natural teeth are present on either side of the gap.
Another option is the cantilever dental bridge, which resembles the traditional bridge but has a crown only on one side, allowing the pontic to extend across the gap. This design is suitable when there are natural teeth on just one side, although it is generally less robust than the traditional version.
The Maryland dental bridge, or resin-bonded bridge, employs metal wings instead of crowns to attach to adjacent teeth, making it a common choice for replacing front teeth, though it lacks the strength needed for back teeth.
Lastly, the implant-supported bridge functions similarly to a traditional bridge but is anchored by dental implants rather than natural teeth. This type requires the implants to integrate with the jawbone, a process that can take several months and is typically recommended for cases involving three or more consecutive missing teeth.
To identify the appropriate type of bridge for your dental needs, a dentist will evaluate various factors. These include your age, as bridges are generally not recommended for children, the number of missing teeth, and the dimensions of the gap created by those missing teeth. Additionally, the dentist will assess the health of the adjacent teeth, the presence of natural teeth on either side of the gap, and the overall condition of your teeth and gums. Your individual preferences will also play a significant role in the decision-making process.
What happens during a dental bridge procedure?
It depends on what type of dental bridge you receive:
Traditional or cantilever bridge
When preparing for the placement of a traditional or cantilever bridge, your dentist will begin by administering local anaesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Next, they will reshape the abutment teeth, which are the natural teeth that will support the new bridge, by removing a portion of the tooth enamel; this process is irreversible. Following this, dental impressions will be taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where a technician will fabricate your final bridge. In the interim, a temporary bridge will be placed, as the creation of the permanent bridge typically takes about two to four weeks.
During your subsequent visit, once the final bridge is ready, your dentist will first remove the temporary bridge. They will then fit the new bridge to ensure proper alignment and comfort before permanently bonding it in place. Some dental practices may utilise CAD/CAM technology to design and manufacture custom bridges on-site during the same appointment, so it is advisable to inquire with your dentist about this option.
Maryland bridge
To install a Maryland bridge, your dentist will first prepare the adjacent teeth by shaping them to accommodate the metal wings of the bridge. Next, they will take dental impressions, which will be sent to a laboratory where a technician will create the final bridge. Once the bridge is completed, a follow-up appointment will be arranged. During this visit, the dentist will fit the Maryland bridge to ensure proper alignment, apply dental etch to the back surfaces of the adjacent teeth to facilitate bonding, and then secure the wings of the bridge to the abutment teeth using dental resin cement.
Implant-supported bridge
An implant-supported bridge involves multiple visits to the dentist, including a surgical procedure. During the initial visit, a dental professional, such as a dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon, will administer anaesthesia to ensure your comfort and then proceed to place dental implants into your jawbone through an oral surgery process. Following the surgery, a healing period is necessary for the implants to integrate with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration, which typically spans three to six months, although it may vary based on individual circumstances.
Once the implants have successfully fused with the jawbone, the next step involves your dentist attaching impression copings to the implants to facilitate the creation of dental impressions. These copings, which are small connector posts that extend slightly above the gum line, allow for accurate impressions to be taken and sent to a dental laboratory. While waiting for the lab to fabricate your new implant-supported bridge, the abutments will be temporarily removed.
When the final bridge is ready, your dentist will place the abutments back onto the implants, attach the bridge, and ensure a proper fit. The bridge will then be secured, either with dental cement or small screws, ensuring a comfortable and stable result. Due to the necessary integration period for dental implants, the overall process for obtaining an implant-supported bridge is generally longer compared to other bridge types.
