What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that closes gaps left by missing teeth. It typically consists of artificial teeth anchored with at least two crowns on the neighbouring teeth, usually made of aesthetic, very durable ceramic. A common design is the three-unit bridge: two crowns and one pontic for a single missing tooth. Costs depend on the material and the position of the gap.
A crown repairs a single tooth; a bridge spans the gap between neighbouring teeth. A bridge normally replaces no more than four teeth so that it remains stable and firmly seated. The neighbouring teeth have to be ground for it, which can encourage caries at the crown margin and overload the abutment teeth.
Bridges last a long time – 10–20 years, and longer with good oral hygiene. They take less time to make than a denture.
When is a bridge needed?
Missing teeth should always be replaced. Especially at the front, they affect speech and chewing, and they can lead to tension and bone loss. A bridge restores the dental arch and stops teeth from drifting or tilting.
- Tooth loss through caries, periodontitis or an accident – chewing and speaking become harder
- Pain or discomfort when chewing
- Drifting teeth: neighbouring teeth tilt into the gap, teeth become crooked or crowded and the bite suffers
- Jawbone loss: the bone shrinks where the tooth is missing and the facial expression can change
Types of bridge
Which type suits you depends on the available abutments and the remaining teeth. Implants can provide additional abutments at the end of a dental arch or where tooth structure is badly damaged. We find the right solution together with you.
- Standard bridge: the basic restoration, resting on the ridge of the jaw
- Floating bridge: the pontic does not touch the gum, so the space beneath is easier to clean and the gum is spared – often used for back teeth
- Cantilever bridge: if there is no tooth on one side of the gap, it is fixed to two abutments side by side on one side
- Hybrid bridge: combines different abutments, such as natural teeth and implants; the implants must heal in first
- Inlay bridge: anchored to inlays in the neighbouring teeth to preserve tooth structure
- Adhesive bridge (Maryland bridge): bonded to the healthy neighbouring teeth without crowns – often for children and teenagers whose teeth cannot be splinted while they are still growing
- All-on-4 bridge: a full-arch bridge on only four implants per jaw, a solution for toothless jaws
Materials
As a practice focused on aesthetics, we prefer all-ceramic. It imitates the look and feel of natural teeth extremely well, is well tolerated and lasts a long time. Its translucency allows a very close match to your tooth colour. Zirconia bridges are hardly distinguishable from natural teeth, better tolerated than metal alloys and resin, and more fracture-resistant than other ceramics. Ceramic is wear-resistant, does not discolour and suits precise digital manufacturing.
- Gold: very stable and durable, but because of its colour usually only used where it is not visible
- Metal-ceramic: high strength and durability with satisfactory aesthetics
- Resin: less expensive but less durable and prone to discolouration – mostly used as a temporary solution
How treatment works
Bridge treatment usually takes two to four appointments at our practice.
- Check: we examine the neighbouring teeth for caries and treat it; periodontitis has to be treated first.
- Preparation and planning: the abutment teeth are ground parallel to each other, the shade is determined and an impression taken; a tooth-friendly temporary protects them until the next appointment.
- Interim check: with a bite registration we check the fit and make sure the bridge sits without tension.
- Placement: at the third or a later appointment we fit the bridge and carefully check its fit and freedom from tension once more.
After treatment
Right after placement you may feel slight pain or an unfamiliar sensation, which should soon subside. If discomfort lasts longer, please contact us straight away. Careful oral hygiene and regular check-ups keep the bridge and neighbouring teeth free of caries and periodontitis; we give you specific care instructions. Even with good care, the bridge may need replacing after about 10–20 years, depending on oral hygiene and the strain from chewing and grinding.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes
- Clean under the bridge with special flossers and superfloss, plus mouthwash if you like
- Regular check-ups and professional cleaning
Bridge, implant or denture?
A bridge is effective and aesthetic but usually requires grinding healthy neighbouring teeth. The jawbone beneath the replaced tooth is also no longer loaded, so bone can be lost. An implant replaces the whole tooth down to the root, stimulates the bone, prevents bone loss and leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched. It is, however, a surgical procedure that places foreign material in the jaw and carries certain risks.
Compared with a removable partial or full denture, a fixed bridge feels natural, barely restricts speaking, chewing or smiling, and is quicker to make. A denture, on the other hand, can be taken out for cleaning. We decide together which solution suits you.