What is a Dental Bridge?
Do you have unsightly gaps, food collection spaces or missing teeth in your mouth?
We have a solution. Dental bridgework will bridge these gaps restoring function and making your smile aesthetically pleasing once again
Dr Suzanne Cairns, Principal Dentist at bayside Family Dentistry, details Dental Bridge benefits, options and procedure.
A bridge is a permanent fixture that is cemented onto the two neighbouring teeth and is basically two porcelain crowns linked together by a faux porcelain tooth.
Bayside Family Dentistry specialises in Dental Bridges. Call us for a consultation now!
Don’t want an implant?
Well bridges are a great alternative to implants as well as removable partial dentures. In 2 visits you can have your bridge fixed and no more gaps!
Dental Bridges are custom fabricated in the lab and the process is the same as for crowns.
Dental Bridge procedure steps
Just two appointments are required until you get your custom dental bridge.
- Appointment 1: The first appointment is to prepare the teeth that will hold the bridge. The teeth are slightly reduced and an impression is taken of them and sent to the lab for your custom bridge to be made. Some temporary crowns are made in the meantime.
- Appointment 2: Between 10 to 14 days later, we will see you for the fitting of your permanent bridge. Your temporaries are removed, and your bridge is glued on with a strong cement, and that’s it!
You can expect to have some sensitivity for a few days with your new bridge, that is normal, thereafter treat it as your own tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Dental Bridges
What are dental bridges made from?
Tooth coloured dental bridges can be made from porcelain/ceramic/zirconia or even gold alloy. Some have a metal substructure made from non-precious alloy with porcelain on top.
Are dental bridges permanent?
Nothing is permanent but some dental bridges have stood the test of time.
The oral environment is a hostile place with bacteria and acid, and grinding forces so dental restorations have to withstand constant attack. Changes to the way the teeth bite against each other over time and changes to patient health, will inevitably lead to bridge fatigue.
How long does a dental bridge last?
Good oral hygiene, a diet with little sugars and regular dental check ups will give your bridge longevity. As long as nothing else changes you can expect 10-15 years with your bridge, maybe longer.
Is a bridge better than an implant?
Studies show they both have the same lifespan after 10 years.
From a cleaning perspective a dental bridge is much more difficult to clean than an implant as an implant is not adjoined to neighbouring teeth.
From a time perspective, a dental bridge can be completed and fitted in just 2 appointments, 2 weeks apart, whereas an implant needs a lot of detailed planning and appointments over several months from start to finish.
How many teeth can be in a dental bridge?
The less the better. A shorter bridge is a stronger bridge. Some bridges can span 4 teeth.
What are the disadvantages of dental bridges?
They usually require tooth reduction of two teeth. Some bridges however, called cantilevers, only are bonded to one tooth so the glue is heavily relied on to hold the bridge in place. Biting and grinding forces need to be low on the bridge to prevent glue fatigue.
Can a dental bridge fail? Why?
Yes a bridge will fail if one or both of the two teeth the bridge is cemented to decays or becomes infected.
If the gums of the teeth bridge become infected, then the teeth become mobile and the teeth (and bridge) will be lost.
Regular 6 Monthly Dentist Checkups are recommended for all our dental patients so we can stay on top of any issues.
