Dental bridges, or fixed partial dentures, literally bridge the gap where teeth have been lost or are missing. The most common bridge will replace one missing tooth. The bridge will attach to the teeth adjacent to the space(s) and replace the missing tooth. The abutment teeth are the anchoring teeth on either side of the space and the false tooth in the middle of abutment teeth is called a pontic.
Dental bridges are perfect for restoring smiles, regaining the ability to properly chew and speak, and for preventing adjacent and opposing teeth from drifting into the empty space. There are three main types of bridges: traditional, cantilever, and Maryland bonded. The bridge can be made of all porcelain, all gold, or a combination of porcelain and gold. Typically, dental insurance plans will cover a percentage of the cost for a dental bridge. A bridge can last approximately 5-15 years depending on good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
If you choose a dental bridge, here is a brief overview:
At the first visit, your abutment teeth are numbed and prepared. Generally, preparation involves reducing the abutment teeth so that the bridge can be placed over the abutment teeth. Next, the dentist will take an impression of your prepared teeth. The impressions are sent to a dental lab where an expert dental technician fabricates the dental bridge with oversight from the dentist. After the impression has been taken, your dentist and dental assistant will make a temporary bridge that will protect your teeth and gums while your permanent dental bridge is being fabricated at the dental lab. The permanent bridge takes the dental lab 2-3 weeks to make.
On your next visit to the dentist, the temporary bridge is removed, the abutment teeth are polished to remove the temporary cement and the permanent bridge is tried in. The try-in process involves adjusting the bite, evaluating the fit of the bridge and evaluating the esthetics. If the bridge meets all of these criteria, it will be cemented permanently. On rare occasions, the bridge does not meet all of the criteria. If this occurs, a new impression sometimes is needed. The temporary bridge is recemented and the patient is reappointed.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are three main types of bridges including traditional, cantilever, and Maryland bonded. Traditional bridges are the type described above in which the dentist creates a crown for the teeth on each side of a gap, with a pontic (false tooth) in between. Traditional bridges are usually made of either ceramics (all porcelain) or porcelain fused to metal (porcelain and gold). A cantilever dental bridge only utilizes a single abutment tooth. The Maryland bonded bridges are typically utilized in young patients, where a permanent tooth is missing. They are the most conservative since you prep the abutment teeth very minimally, but they are the weakest and have a very limited longevity. They are typically used to replace front teeth (not back teeth) because they are not very strong. The porcelain tooth is supported by a metal framework, and metal wings are bonded to the adjacent teeth to hold it in place.
Dental Bridge Cost
Typically, dental insurance plans will pay a percentage of the total cost for dental bridges. However, there are several factors that play a major role in determining the cost of your dental bridges. The type of material used to make the bridge, the potential need for additional procedures, the location of the dentist, and the artistic expertise of the lab technician who creates your dental bridge are all factors. Dental bridges range in cost, and can be up to $3,000 per tooth. Caring for your dental bridge is critical to ensuring that it lasts for a long time. Your dentist and hygienist will educate you in the care of your bridge.
