Are you missing one or more teeth? Is it affecting your ability to speak, eat, or smile? At National Dental Care Chadstone, we understand the importance of a healthy and complete smile. That's why we offer quality dental bridges to restore both the functionality and aesthetics of your teeth.
With years of combined experience, our knowledgeable team is here to provide you with personalised care.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge fills the gap between two teeth using false teeth. Unlike a dental implant, it doesn’t need to be implanted into the jaw. Instead, the bridge connects a false tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Dental bridges are a great alternative to dental implants, whether you simply don’t want one or your gums or jaw are not in good enough condition to receive an implant.
Dentist holding a completed dental bridge and crown
Different types of dental bridges
Dental bridges can be made up of metal, porcelain, zirconia, or a combination of any of the three. There are three types of dental bridges; Traditional, Cantilever, and Maryland bridges:
A traditional bridge is the most common type of dental bridge. It involves placing dental crowns on the teeth that sit on either side of the gap and attaching a ‘pontic’ (a false tooth) between them.
A cantilever bridge is less common. When there is only one tooth next to the gap, the dentist will place a crown over that tooth and attach the pontic to it. However, this method is less stable than attaching the pontic on both sides, which is why it’s not recommended for back teeth that bear a lot of pressure.
The Maryland bridge style is named after the University of Maryland where it was invented. It’s similar to a traditional bridge, where a false tooth is attached to the teeth on each side of the gap. However, instead of using crowns, it uses 'wings' that attach to the back of each tooth next to the gap.
It is important to note that this style is not recommended for back teeth and is only suitable for people with good oral health.
What to expect from a dental bridge treatment
Before your dental procedure at National Dental Care Chadstone, it's a good idea to eat something and drink water to avoid feeling hungry or thirsty. You should also brush and floss your teeth to maintain good oral hygiene.
Patient happily looking in mirror post-treatment
Here's what you can expect during your first dental bridge appointment:
- Local Anaesthetic: Your dentist will begin by applying a local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area.
- Tooth preparation: A thin layer of enamel will be removed from the adjacent teeth, unless you are getting a Maryland bridge.
- Impressions: Precise impressions or digital scans of your teeth will be taken to be sent to the dental lab.
- Temporary Bridge: At the end of this appointment, your dentist will fit a temporary bridge to protect your teeth until the permanent bridge is ready.
Your next visit, typically scheduled about a week later or whenever your custom bridge is ready, will involve the following steps:
- Re-Anesthetic: Your dentist will once again numb the area using a local anaesthetic.
- Temporary Bridge Removal: The temporary bridge will be removed.
- Permanent Bridge Fitting: Your dentist will assess the fit of the permanent bridge.
- Cementing in Place: If the bridge fits well, it will be securely fixed in place using dental cement.
- Custom Shaping: The dental crowns and bridge will be carefully shaped to ensure they match your bite perfectly.
- Numbness: Expect the area to remain numb for several hours following the procedure.
- Follow-Up: Your dentist will monitor the bridge's condition during your next appointment.
Our aim is to keep you comfortable and satisfied throughout your dental bridge procedure. If you have a gap in your teeth and think a dental bridge might be right for you, give our friendly team a call.
The pros and cons of dental bridges
Pros
- Non-Surgical Alternative: Dental bridges are an alternative to invasive dental implants, which involve anchoring the tooth to the bone beneath the gum line. This may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with underlying gum or jaw issues.
- A Complete Smile: Missing teeth can impact your confidence and make you feel self-conscious about your smile. A bridge fills the gap left by missing teeth with a natural-looking solution.
- Restored Functionality: A dental bridge offers full functionality, meaning you’ll be able to eat, drink, and talk normally.
- Improved Oral Health: A missing tooth can cause your other teeth to deteriorate faster, as well as leading to tooth movement. A dental bridge can prevent this, resulting in better dental health.
Cons
- Adjacent Teeth: Traditional bridges somtimes require crowns to be placed on healthy adjacent teeth, which may involve reshaping and covering them. This can lead to the removal of some healthy enamel and potentially cause lasting harm to initially healthy teeth.
- Risks of Maryland Bridges: Maryland bridges, while less invasive, can damage existing teeth due to the removal of enamel at the back of the teeth. They are also less resilient to chewing pressure compared to other bridge types.
- Ineffectiveness Against Bone Loss: When a tooth is missing or removed, the jaw bone that previously supported it can start to deteriorate. Unlike implants, which have an artificial root anchored into the jaw bone, bridges sit above the gum line and don’t have roots. As a result, bridges don’t prevent bone loss like implants do.
- Shorter Lifespan: Dental bridges may not last as long as implants. A dental bridge will only last as long as the teeth that support it.If there are problems with these teeth in the future, such as decay or gum disease, the bridge will be compromised
It's important to think about these pros and cons when considering whether a dental bridge is the right choice for you. Your dentist at National Dental Care Chadstone can help you make the best decision based on your individual circumstances.
Looking to restore your smile? At National Dental Care Chadstone, we offer dental bridges to help you regain your smile and improve its functionality. Book a consultation with us today.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of a dental bridge will vary depending on the type of bridge you get and the materials used, as well as some other factors.
At National Dental Care Chadstone, your dentist will be able to give you a more accurate estimate once they have a better idea of your situation and oral health.
Keep in mind that your insurance may pay for some of the treatment, so it’s worth checking with your provider.
At National Dental Care Chadstone, we aim to make dental care accessible to everyone.
Health Funds: That’s why we partner with leading health funds to help you manage your dental costs.
By working closely with major health fund providers, we make it easy for you to use your dental benefits and claim rebates directly at our clinic.
Payment Plans: To help you manage your dental expenses with ease and convenience, we also offer two payment plans - SmileFund and Afterpay.
SmileFund provides personalised payment plans designed specifically for dental treatments, making it more affordable to get the care you need.
Meanwhile, Afterpay lets you split your dental costs into interest-free instalments, making it easier to get a healthy smile without breaking the bank.
With good care and regular check-ups at National Dental Care, Chadstone, a dental bridge can sometimes last for up to 10 years or longer. You will need to avoid biting down on very hard and very sticky foods to minimise the chance of breaking the bridge or even pulling it off. You will also need to maintain good dental hygiene to keep your natural teeth and gums strong, as these support the bridge.
Absolutely! Unlike dentures, Dental bridges are permanently fixed to your existing teeth, and cannot be removed without damaging them.