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type=text title=”What is a dental bridge?”]

A dental bridge is a fixed way to replace one or more missing teeth. They are a time-proven and conventional treatment that is essentially low-risk when compared to a dental implant. Bridges are permanently glued onto your own teeth either side of the gap. Sometimes implants are used to support bridges too. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge.

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type=text title=”What are dental bridges made from?”]

Bridges are usually made from porcelain fused to metal or ceramic.

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type=text title=”What types of dental bridges do you offer?”]

There are several types of fixed dental bridges including conventional fixed bridge, cantilever bridges and Maryland resin-bonded bridges.

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type=text title=”How long does the entire treatment process take?”]

A bridge usually takes two visits. At the first visit, your teeth are prepared for the bridge and an impression/mould of the shaped teeth is taken to provide an exact model for the bridge to be made on. The colour of the final bridge is selected to match the colour of your existing teeth so that the final ceramic looks natural. A ‘temporary’ bridge will then be placed to protect the teeth and offers a preview of the final outcome. Over the next two weeks, the bridge is made in the laboratory and is cemented/glued into place at the second appointment.

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type=text title=”How long does the bridge last?”]

Every tooth and every patient is different, but it is not unusual to see fixed bridges surviving for many years, particularly when patients have good oral hygiene and regular check-ups. There are many studies on the success of bridges and generally it is considered that 90% of bridges remain in place after 10 years and 80% after 20 years (Tan, Pjetursson, Lang & Chan, 2004).

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type=text title=”What are the risks involved?”]

Dental bridges are considered low risk and generally do not pose any great problems for patients if planned and maintained well, but there are risks to consider before undergoing treatment. After installing the dental bridge, anchor teeth may be susceptible to nerve problems down the track, as they need to be prepared to be abutments. Patients with dental bridges can have higher risk for gum disease, which can be better avoided with regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups.

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type=text title=”What is the typical treatment cost?”]

Bridges range significantly in cost from as little as $2000 for one missing tooth up to $18000 for an entire jaw/arch of teeth.

[cws-row cols=321][col span=12]Dr Christopher Hart Prosthodontist provides dental bridges in Melbourne for teeth and implants. Specialist prosthodontist for dental bridge treatment in Bendigo and Darwin by appointment.

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type=text title=”References”]

^{1. Tan, K., Pjetursson, B., Lang, N., & Chan, E. (2004). A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) after an observation period of at least 5 years. III. Conventional FPDs. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 15(6), 654-666. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0501.2004.01119.x}

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