What Is A Dental Bridge?

What is a Dental Bridge? Dental Bridge literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

A Dental Bridge is made up of two or more Crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap — these two or more anchoring teeth are called Abutment teeth — and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called Pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental Bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

1. Assist In Clear Speech
2. Keep Teeth From Shifting Out Of Position
3. Restore Anchoring Teeth
4. Replace Teeth For Proper Chewing and Eating
5. Restore The Smile
6. Maintain The Shape Of The Face
7. Distribute The Biting Forces Properly

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

There are 3 main types of dental bridges:

• Traditional Bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between. Traditional Bridges are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.

• Cantilever Bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth.
• Maryland Bonded Bridges (also called a Resin-Bonded Bridge or a Maryland Bridge) are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework. Metal or porcelain wings often on just one side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.

What Is The Process Of Getting A Dental Bridge?

It usually takes 2 Dental Appointments for getting a Dental Bridge. Dental Bridge must be issued in Dental Clinic by Dentists/Dental Specialists.

• In First Appointment:
  1. Abutment teeth are prepared by contouring these teeth.
  2. Impressions of the teeth are then made.
  3. Dentist will make a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made.
• In Second Appointment:
  1. Temporary bridge will be removed
  2. New Permanent Dental Bridge will be checked and adjusted as necessary.
  3. Dental Bridge is cemented into place.
  4. Done.

What Are The Indication of Dental Bridges?

1. Aesthetic Restorations Of Teeth
2. Restoring Teeth With High Degree Of Abrasion
3. Restoring Teeth With Advanced Destructions, Erosions Or Large Fillings
4. Replacement Of Old, Inadequate Restorations.
5. Treatment Of Occlusal Disorders.
6. Restoration Of Partial Edentulism If Enough Healthy Teeth Remain On The Dental Arch

What Are The Contraindication of Dental Bridges?

1. Treatment Of Partial Edentulism If There Is Not Enough Periodontal Support
2. Poor Oral Hygiene
3. Some General Health Conditions

Dental Bridges must be done & issued by trained Dentists or Dental Specialists. Always consult your Dentists when you are in doubt.

Article written by,

Dr. Wong Kee Cheong (Tommy)
Dental Surgeon
BDS (AIMST), MBA (SEGi), YCDP