Everything You Need to Know About Dental Bridges
Hey there, this is Dr. Shakally with Southern Smiles. We get a lot of questions about dental bridges and what they are, and what some of their pros and cons are. I'm here to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about dental bridges.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is usually what it sounds like. There are two teeth on both sides with an empty space in the middle. That's the most common bridge that we see. We basically make two anchors for the space that's in the middle, resulting in three teeth instead of two.
What's the difference between a bridge and a denture?
I usually say that those are two very different things. A denture or a partial is something that comes in and out, often replacing a large number of teeth. For example, a denture can replace the entire mouth. A bridge is used to replace one, sometimes two teeth, and you have to have healthy teeth on both sides. A bridge does not come in or out of the mouth and is a lot more comfortable than a denture or a partial. They're very different, but both are used to replace missing teeth.
What are the pros and cons of dental bridges?
A big question we get is: what are the pros and cons of dental bridges? Like everything else in life, there are pros and cons to each of them. The main pros of a dental bridge are that it's pretty fast—you can replace that tooth fairly quickly, usually requiring just one or two appointments. Another pro is that it's usually more affordable than alternatives like a dental implant.
However, there are more cons. We have to shave down the two teeth on both sides of the bridge, resulting in the loss of a lot of tooth structure. You are also distributing the force of three teeth now on two, causing those teeth to wear down quicker. Another issue is that cleaning underneath the bridge can be difficult, leading to more bacteria accumulation. If the anchor teeth are compromised, you may end up losing them faster.
What are the different types of dental bridges?
I would say there aren't many different options in today's world. Back in the day, there were different materials used, such as porcelain or metal. Today, we usually just use zirconia in our bridges. We try to limit them to three or four units at most, meaning two anchors and two fake teeth or two anchors and one fake tooth. The longer the bridge, the more difficult and potentially problematic it can be. In my office, I don't do anything more than a four-unit bridge.
What are the alternatives to a dental bridge?
If you are looking for something that stays in the mouth and does not come in and out, the only alternative is an implant. That is really the gold standard for replacing missing teeth; it is as close as you're going to get to a real tooth. It feels and functions like a real tooth.
The other option for replacing teeth that is not a bridge or an implant would be a partial denture. It's more affordable than a bridge, but it has its drawbacks, such as not preserving any bone and being more uncomfortable, as it has to come in and out.
What is a removable dental bridge versus a fixed dental bridge?
The biggest difference is as it sounds: one comes in and out, and one does not. A fixed bridge is what people have in mind when they think of a bridge - two anchor teeth and one fake tooth in the middle. It doesn't come in and out, is very comfortable, and can be used effectively. A removable dental bridge, on the other hand, is what people refer to as a partial. It can replace more teeth than just a fixed tooth, maybe if you have missing teeth in two different parts of the mouth, or if your budget is more limited. It can function to replace those teeth but is more uncomfortable because it has to come in and out and sometimes pushes on the gums.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge?
There are many benefits of dental bridges. It's definitely better than having nothing in that spot. Having a missing tooth is problematic because you are putting more wear on the remaining teeth. Without a dental bridge, your other teeth fail quicker, leading to bigger issues. Your ability to bite decreases. If the missing tooth is in the front, aesthetics is a big concern.
Some benefits include distributing the force better on your teeth to help them last longer and allowing you to chew food better. Missing a molar, for example, reduces your ability to bite foods you love, especially harder foods like nuts, steak, or wings. The main benefit is protecting your teeth and restoring some of the bite force you had.
How can a dental bridge help those with gum disease?
The answer is not necessarily because gums and bridges are two very separate things. It will help if your gum issues are due to biting too hard on certain teeth, as it can help distribute the force better. However, if your gum disease is caused by not visiting the dentist frequently or not flossing well, the dental bridge would actually exacerbate those issues. You want to make sure your gums are healthy before committing to something like a dental bridge.
Is dental bridge work painful?
I usually say no, not really. You obviously have to be numbed up, similar to anything else in dentistry, like a filling or a crown. If a patient is very anxious, it might be uncomfortable, but we have ways to deal with that, like laughing gas or sedation. If a patient doesn't have any anxiety related to dental work and can get through a cleaning or a filling just fine, then the dental bridge is quite easy to take care of. That's one of its pros, it's quick and easy to do.
What does a dental bridge placement procedure involve?
The process is fairly straightforward. It usually involves two to three appointments, depending on how cosmetic or complicated the procedure is. The simplest one is usually two appointments. You come in, we prepare the anchor teeth, making them a smaller version of themselves, and then we place temporaries on those teeth.
Usually, you go back home for a couple of weeks, or if an office has an in-office mill machine, they can do it the same day. However, for most offices, and what I recommend for bridges, is that a lab-made bridge is better because labs can use much stronger materials and machines.
You get the anchor teeth prepped, and then two weeks later, you come back, and we have the bridge ready to try in. Usually, two appointments: the first one is longer, about an hour to an hour and a half of work, and then you leave with the temporary crown.
The second appointment is fairly quick, 15 to 20 minutes. We don't usually need to numb you up. We just take the temporary off, try the new bridge on to ensure it looks good, feels good, and functions well. If everyone is happy with it, we cement it quickly.
How long does a dental bridge last?
The answer I give my patients is that it really depends on how well you take care of it, how many other teeth you have, and the condition of the teeth underneath. For example, if a person has many missing teeth and gets just one side fixed with a dental bridge, and the teeth underneath have had multiple fillings or root canals in the past, you realistically can't expect those bridges to last forever.
I would say maybe five years is a reasonable amount of time. If the entire body is healthy, the teeth have minimal wear and tear, the anchor teeth have minimal wear and tear, and you're taking good care of them—flossing well and visiting the dentist regularly—then you should expect the bridge to last 10 to 15 years. It really depends on multiple factors like the health of the remaining teeth, the health of the anchor teeth, the health of your gums, how well you're taking care of them, and how well the dentist performed the procedure.
How should I care for my dental bridge?
That's a great question because without maintaining a dental bridge, it will fail much quicker than it should. After investing that money and time, you want to keep it as long as possible. What are the best ways to take care of a dental bridge? Part of it is at-home care, and part of it is visiting the dentist. At home, flossing the anchor teeth is very important, but where the fake tooth is, you won't be able to floss very well. I recommend a water pick to my patients to clean that area.
Additionally, getting your dental cleanings done regularly, every four to six months depending on your condition, is important. No matter how good you are at cleaning them, things will build up, and you'll need a professional cleaning.
When should I schedule an appointment for a dental bridge?
Ideally, that conversation should happen before you have a missing tooth. The best approach is to plan ahead, so you spend the least amount of time without a tooth in that spot. The second-best time is now. Take care of those teeth because you're putting a lot of pressure on the teeth next to it.
Give us a call, get a consult, and see if dental bridges are the best option for you, or if there are different options. Just call our office and let us know how we can help you.
If you live in or near Phoenix, AZ, and are looking for dental care, contact us at (480) 530-0755 to set an appointment. Our staff would love to talk with you!