Dental Bridge
Bridges are not mobile prosthetic restorations, used to fill an empty space in the patient’s mouth, which has been created by the absence of one or more teeth. Bridges consist of crowns, which are laterally joined together.
The dentist considers it necessary to install a bridge for:
Improving the aesthetic appearance and speech of the patient.
When one or more teeth are absent in the anterior or posterior area of the mouth.
To improve chewing and restore the uniform distribution of forces exerted in the patient’s mouth during chewing.
To protect the neighboring teeth and the ‘’competitors’’ of the missing tooth because when a tooth is lost it is likely that the neighboring teeth will migrate towards the gap that has been created.
Materials which dental bridges are made:
1. Metal-ceramic dental bridges: that have a metal frame that is coated externally with ceramic i.e. with porcelain.
A disadvantage of metal ceramic crowns is aesthetic and involves a black line that often appears between the teeth and gums. This black line is due to the metal of the frame, and over the years it can look even more pronounced.
Otherwise they have a lower cost than to all-ceramic crowns and zirconium ones and good durability.
They are preferred mainly for posterior teeth.
2. All Ceramic dental bridges: the metal frame is absent here, since they are made entirely of porcelain.
These crowns are often the choice for anterior teeth restorations, although they can sometimes be placed on posterior teeth (although avoided).
Their biggest advantage is their amazing aesthetic performance inside the patient’s mouth.
Researches has shown that they retain less dental plaque than the” conventional ” metal-ceramic crowns, thus ensuring healtyer gums .
Their cost is their main desadvantage.
3. Zirconium dental bridges: also here the metal skeleton is absent. They are made entirely of zirconium or zirconium frame which is then coated with porcelain.
They have a similar aesthetic effect to all-ceramic crowns, but are considered more durable.
Research has shown that (as in all-ceramic restorations) retain less dental plaque than the “conventional” metal ceramic crowns, therefore ensure more healthy gums
They are used in both anterior and posterior teeth, in contrast to the all-ceramic ones that usually placed in the anterior teeth.
Their cost is their main desadvantage.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Usually, 4 to 5 visits to the dentist are required for the placement of crowns. Sometimes, for more complex incidents, more visits are required.
Brush your teeth at least 2 times daily.
Use interdental brushes.
Avoid biting your nails, chewing ice, biting pencil or hard foods.
Bridges last for several years, but their lifespan depends on many lifestyle-related factors, especially maintaining good oral hygiene.
In patients who grind their teeth (bruxism).
In patients with poor oral hygiene.
In patients with persistent gingivitis or periodontitis.
In patients with bad habits such as nail biting.