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Having a gap due to one of your teeth being absent can be filled using dental bridges, which offer a good choice. This is a fairly simple process that takes just a few visits to the dental clinic.
In this article, we will cover everything there is to know about dental bridges in terms of their definition, how they are attached to your mouth, and the costs involved.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge refers to an approach used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Once installed, the dental bridge will not only enhance your oral health and aid in chewing but will also make your teeth and mouth look great.
As you may have guessed from their name, dental bridges literally "bridge" the gap between two teeth, thus making sure that you do not have any gaps in your teeth.
Moreover, this helps to keep infections away from your mouth and gums and ensures proper oral hygiene.
There are two major components of a dental bridge.
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The first component is the abutment, which provides support for the bridge.
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Then there are the pontics that actually fill the gap left by the missing tooth/teeth.
Now let us find out what types of dental bridges there are.
Various types of dental bridges
Here are the different types of dental bridges that might be recommended to you by your dentist based on your unique case:
Temporary dental bridge
As can be derived from its name, a temporary dental bridge is installed in your mouth for a short period of time and may act as a stopgap before you get a permanent dental bridge or dental implant.
Traditional dental bridge
It is also referred to as the most common dental bridge, which is called traditional dental bridge. It consists of pontics placed in between crowns that are directly bonded to your own natural teeth.
Cantilever dental bridge
The key feature differentiating the cantilever from the traditional bridge is the fact that the former has only one crown instead of two crowns. Therefore, the cantilever bridge is suitable for people having healthy teeth on one side only.
Resin-bonded bridge
This is a bridge sometimes referred to as the Maryland bridge where the metal wings are used instead of the crowns to hold the bridge.
The metal wings are bonded to the back of the teeth in order to attach them and they are usually used for bridging spaces in the front teeth.
Implant-supported bridge
As the name suggests, an implant-supported bridge is attached to the dental implants and not the natural teeth.
Dental implants refer to artificial teeth drilled in the jaw bones in place of the damaged or missing teeth.
Differences between dental bridge and implant
A dental bridge and an implant provide a great solution to any patient with missing or broken teeth.
Dental implants are replacement teeth that are attached to the jaw bone and usually last a lifetime unless broken.
However, dental bridges are replacement teeth that are fixed in position using neighboring teeth.
Dental bridges are less durable compared to dental implants since their lifespan is usually 5-10 years.
While both dental bridges and implants will be effective for you, dental implants are more durable than dental bridges.
What is the process behind dental bridges?
It all starts off with choosing which kind of dental bridge you will be getting, but there is usually an initial visit with the dentist.
During the procedure, the dentist will apply the local anesthetic, and will reshape your abutment teeth by removing some of the enamel from the tooth.
Afterward, the dentist will take some dental impressions and insert the temporary bridge.
The second visit will involve the removal of the temporary bridge, as well as testing of the permanent one, and then the cementing of the bridge in place.
Therefore, for this procedure, you have to plan on making at least two visits to the dentist's office.
Verdict on dental bridges
In case you are missing a tooth/teeth, you can go for a dental bridge since it is one of the possible choices.
The bridge is attached to your healthy teeth from both sides of the gap and will remain there for 5-10 years until replacement is required.
Since it is less costly than a dental implant, it is a good choice especially if you are uninsured or you cannot afford a costly dental treatment.
FAQs
Q1: Is a dental bridge a permanent fixture?
Even though a dental bridge may serve for up to 5-10 years, it cannot be considered a permanent solution. For a permanently filling an empty tooth space, consider getting a dental implant.
Q2: What are the pros and cons of a dental bridge before and after the procedure?
The main principle behind a dental bridge lies in the fact that it bridges the space between two healthy teeth.
In other words, a dental bridge can serve as the ideal choice if you do not want a dental implant fixed into your jawbone.
Q3: How long can a dental bridge last?
Depending on different factors, including care and maintenance, you can expect a dental bridge to last for up to 5-10 years.
Q4: What is the dental bridge cost on average?
The cost of the dental bridge is about $500 per tooth and the price of the crown is $500 to $1,000. As for the dental bridge cost with insurance, it varies depending on the insurance policy you have and it is usually covered by insurance. However, most insurance companies do not cover dental implants as a routine treatment.
Q5: What are the signs of a dental bridge infection?
If you have some discomfort or pain in the area where the bridge is placed, your dental bridge may be infected. Moreover, if there is some pus in that place, it means that there is an infection.
Very helpful thank you. I have a tooth they put in with a post. They prayed other teeth and loosened it and it fell out. They glued it back in. It fell out. I have the Dental implant. I like my dentist but something is always going wrong. Where should I go. He wants to charge 2770 dollars. I do not have that. Or hr will take 10 percent for cash