Dental Bridge

Are you experiencing one or more missing teeth affecting your ability to eat, speak, or smile comfortably? National Dental Care Erina can help. We acknowledge the significance of a healthy smile and offer quality dental bridges to restore both the appearance and functionality of your teeth.

With years of experience, our knowledgeable team is dedicated to providing personalised care and achieving optimal results.

Schedule a consultation with our team in Erina today to regain dental function and enhance your oral health with a dental bridge.

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.

Dentist explaining the dental bridge treatment with a patient

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.

There are three types of dental bridges:

1. A traditional bridge is the most common and involves placing dental crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap and attaching a ‘pontic’ (a false tooth) between them.
2. A cantilever bridge is less common. This is when there is only one tooth next to the gap, so the crown is placed over that tooth and the pontic is attached to it. It’s less sturdy than being attached at both sides, so is not a good option for back teeth that need to deal with a lot of pressure.
3. Finally, there is the Maryland bridge style, named after the University of Maryland where it was invented. This involves a similar concept to the traditional style by connecting a false tooth to the teeth on each side of the gap, but instead of using crowns for the attachment, it uses ‘wings’ that attach to the back of each tooth next to the gap. Again, this is not ideal for back teeth, and is only really an option for those with good oral health.

The pros and cons of a dental bridge

A dental bridge is a great way to replace a missing tooth for a number of reasons:

Happy patient at home after dental treatment

• Avoids implant surgery: Dental implants are affixed to the bone below the gum line, which is a more invasive procedure. Also, implants are not suitable for those with poor gum or jaw health.
• A full beautiful 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.
• Normal functionality: A dental bridge offers full functionality, meaning you’ll be able to eat, drink, and talk normally.
• Better 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.

There are also some other considerations for bridges when compared to other options for replacing teeth.

Dentist examining a completed dental bridge and crown

• Traditional bridges may require putting crowns over perfectly healthy teeth. The adjacent teeth that support the bridge will require reshaping and covering, which means a portion of their healthy tooth enamel will need to be removed. This can increase the risk of damage to healthy teeth.
• Maryland bridges can cause damage to the existing teeth and are less sturdy. Preparation for a Maryland may require the removal of some enamel from the adjacent tooth. Additionally, these bridges are less resistant to chewing pressure compared to other types of bridges, and may come off more easily.
• Bridges don't correct bone loss in the jaw. 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.
• Bridges may not last as long as implants. Bridges are only as strong as the teeth that support them, and those teeth can still decay, and get gum disease.If the tooth fails, the bridge may be lost

How much does a dental bridge cost?

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 Erina, 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.

What to expect from your dental bridge treatment

Before your dental procedure at National Dental Care Erina, it's advisable to eat and drink something. We also recommend that you brush and floss your teeth.

Here's what you can expect during the first dental bridge appointment at our practice:

• Local Anaesthetic: Your dentist will begin by applying a local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area.
• Enamel Adjustment (Except for Maryland Bridge): A thin layer of enamel will be removed from the abutment teeth.
• Impressions: Precise impressions or digital scans of your teeth will be taken to be sent to the dental lab.
• Temporary Bridge: Finally, your dentist will fit a temporary bridge to protect your teeth until the permanent bridge is ready.

Your next visit, typically scheduled about 2-4 weeks later or whenever your dental bridge is ready, will involve the following steps:

• Local Anaesthetic: 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.
• Follow-up: Your dentist will monitor the bridge's condition during your subsequent appointment.

Our goal 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, get in touch with the friendly team at National Dental Care Erina.