Replace missing tooth in 2 days (*minimum period depending on complexities such as length required, availability of material)
Dental bridges can be a quick and economical option to replace missing teeth with minimum down-time. Our bridge are made of fully monolithic zircon oxide to provide aesthetic tooth-coloured material and durability. Porcelain-fused to metal bridge of the past have the problem of chipping, the metallic lining and gray undertone.
There are several things you should be aware of when deciding on having a dental bridge done. In particular you should be aware of the possible alternatives.
Limitations
The most important limitation is that healthy neighbouring teeth will be ground. Teeth are splinted together, anything that affects one of the teeth will affect the whole bridge and not merely on that one tooth. (see possible complications below)
Biting load is reduced compared to all natural teeth or an implant. This is because there are invariably more teeth units than there are roots. For example a 3-unit bridge replacing a single missing tooth will have 3 teeth but only 2 roots. This reduced support means that it is usually easier to overload a bridge than the equivalent replacement using an implant.
Absence of root to anchor the missing teeth will cause the loss of bone adjacent to teeth and chewing strength to decline in the process.
It must be replaced every 5 to 10 years.
Possible complications
Pulpitis after the bridge is placed
If the teeth being used to support the bridge have not had root canal therapy it is important for you to be aware that there is a known, though difficult to quantify, risk that the nerve of either or both teeth may become inflamed or die after the bridge is placed. This can happen soon after or some years later. Should this occur root canal therapy will need to be done either with removal of the bridge or via an opening made in the bridge. This may necessitate the replacement of the bridge.
Tooth fracture
The teeth supporting the bridge are placed under greater load than they would otherwise be subjected to and have usually been trimmed to accomodate the bridge. There is therefore an increased risk that they might fracture either due to sudden impact or through normal wear and tear.
Secondary caries
Unless the bridge supports are implants, you will still have natural tooth structure underneath the bridge and there will always be a margin where the bridge ends and natural tooth structure begins. The margin is usually the weakest link and area most susceptible to tooth decay because (though we try to make the margin as smooth as possible) it can never be as smooth as an intact tooth surface and it is a junction between different materials which do not behave exactly alike (the bridge, the cement and the tooth structure).
Fracture of the bridge
As with all things bridges can (and do on occasion) break. This can vary from a little chip in a relatively unimportant corner of the bridge to a crack straight through the bridge itself. The more serious fractures will usually require the bridge to be remade.
Dislodgement of the bridge
Unless there are specific reasons to to otherwise, we bond all restorations using the strongest class of dental cements available (resin based cements) so the likelihood of dislodgement of a bridge is minimized. However it is possible especially if some other thing (tooth fracture or bridge fracture) has happened to the bridge.
Gum disease
It is usually more difficult to clean underneath a bridge and so there is a greater tendency for plaque and tartar to build up leading to gum disease. Gum disease, if not controlled will lead to loss of bone support for the teeth supporting the bridge which in turn will increase the risk of overloading the bridge.
Dental bridges can be a quick and economical option to replace missing teeth with minimum down-time. Our bridge are made of fully monolithic zircon oxide to provide aesthetic tooth-coloured material and durability. Porcelain-fused to metal bridge of the past have the problem of chipping, the metallic lining and gray undertone.
There are several things you should be aware of when deciding on having a dental bridge done. In particular you should be aware of the possible alternatives.
Limitations
The most important limitation is that healthy neighbouring teeth will be ground. Teeth are splinted together, anything that affects one of the teeth will affect the whole bridge and not merely on that one tooth. (see possible complications below)
Biting load is reduced compared to all natural teeth or an implant. This is because there are invariably more teeth units than there are roots. For example a 3-unit bridge replacing a single missing tooth will have 3 teeth but only 2 roots. This reduced support means that it is usually easier to overload a bridge than the equivalent replacement using an implant.
Absence of root to anchor the missing teeth will cause the loss of bone adjacent to teeth and chewing strength to decline in the process.
It must be replaced every 5 to 10 years.
Possible complications
Pulpitis after the bridge is placed
If the teeth being used to support the bridge have not had root canal therapy it is important for you to be aware that there is a known, though difficult to quantify, risk that the nerve of either or both teeth may become inflamed or die after the bridge is placed. This can happen soon after or some years later. Should this occur root canal therapy will need to be done either with removal of the bridge or via an opening made in the bridge. This may necessitate the replacement of the bridge.
Tooth fracture
The teeth supporting the bridge are placed under greater load than they would otherwise be subjected to and have usually been trimmed to accomodate the bridge. There is therefore an increased risk that they might fracture either due to sudden impact or through normal wear and tear.
Secondary caries
Unless the bridge supports are implants, you will still have natural tooth structure underneath the bridge and there will always be a margin where the bridge ends and natural tooth structure begins. The margin is usually the weakest link and area most susceptible to tooth decay because (though we try to make the margin as smooth as possible) it can never be as smooth as an intact tooth surface and it is a junction between different materials which do not behave exactly alike (the bridge, the cement and the tooth structure).
Fracture of the bridge
As with all things bridges can (and do on occasion) break. This can vary from a little chip in a relatively unimportant corner of the bridge to a crack straight through the bridge itself. The more serious fractures will usually require the bridge to be remade.
Dislodgement of the bridge
Unless there are specific reasons to to otherwise, we bond all restorations using the strongest class of dental cements available (resin based cements) so the likelihood of dislodgement of a bridge is minimized. However it is possible especially if some other thing (tooth fracture or bridge fracture) has happened to the bridge.
Gum disease
It is usually more difficult to clean underneath a bridge and so there is a greater tendency for plaque and tartar to build up leading to gum disease. Gum disease, if not controlled will lead to loss of bone support for the teeth supporting the bridge which in turn will increase the risk of overloading the bridge.
A bridge too far - where bridges cannot be used
Dental bridges can only be used when the space you wish to close as got teeth with sufficient structure and sufficient gum support around it. They therefore cannot be used when you have no teeth at all or where the space only has teeth on one side and nothing on the other side or when the teeth that are directly adjacent to the space simply are not strong enough.
Dental bridges can only be used when the space you wish to close as got teeth with sufficient structure and sufficient gum support around it. They therefore cannot be used when you have no teeth at all or where the space only has teeth on one side and nothing on the other side or when the teeth that are directly adjacent to the space simply are not strong enough.
Taking care of a Dental Bridge
As with practically everything in dentistry, maintenance is absolutely crucial to ensuring that a Dental Bridge gives you long and trouble free service. Fortunately in most cases the steps you need to take are fairly simple.
As with practically everything in dentistry, maintenance is absolutely crucial to ensuring that a Dental Bridge gives you long and trouble free service. Fortunately in most cases the steps you need to take are fairly simple.
- To ward off gum disease and caries, good oral hygiene measures (brushing and flossing especially under the bridge pontics) and a sensible diet.
- Avoid biting very hard objects to keep the force levels the limits the teeth, gums and bridge material can tolerate.
- If you have an issue with night grinding, a nightguard is very helpful
- If you engage in contact sports or activities where the teeth are at risk of injury, wear a sports mouthguard