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Dental Bridges

What are dental bridges?

A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth and they can be supported in any of the following ways

  • through natural teeth
  • through implants
  • through a combination of teeth and implants

 

The conventional bridge is finished by creating a crown for the teeth on either side of the space and placing a false tooth or teeth in between the crowns. The crowns may be supported using dental implants or natural teeth. A false tooth or several false teeth are attached to the crowns in order to fill the empty space.

If the teeth that are getting the crowns are healthy and strong then they may not need root canal therapy although parts of the teeth will be removed in order for the crowns to fit. Conventional bridges are made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.

There are other types of bridges too. A cantilever bridge is held in the mouth by one or more crowns. A Maryland bridge is made out of a metal framework with wings on both sides. These wings are bonded to the back of the existing teeth. The false teeth are bonded to the framework. This type of bridge is also known as the resin-bonded bridge.

Bonded bridges are not as expensive as conventional bridges because the neighbouring teeth need less preparation. The drawback of these bridges is that they are only as strong as the bonding material used. Resin-bonded bridges tend not to stay cemented in place especially id they take a lot of biting forces. They are not the best choice if the wings get in the way of the bite or if they get in the way of the gums.

Getting a bridge will require at least two visits and sometimes even more. During your first visit, your dentist will prepare the teeth to be crowned. Impressions of your teeth will be taken. The bridge will be placed during the succeeding visits. Bridges will last for around five to seven years but they can even last longer in some cases.