Dental bridge

Dr. med. Philipp Nicol is a freelance writer for the medical editorial team.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

The dental bridge is a dental prosthesis that sits exclusively on the teeth. It is a good alternative to the dental implants that are firmly anchored in the jawbone. A dental bridge can be used well for individual tooth gaps. Here you can read everything you need to know about dental bridges, when to use them and what risks they entail.

What is a dental bridge?

There are basically three different types of dentures:

• Bridge (conventional bridge or adhesive bridge)
• Dental implants
• Denture

While the dental implants are firmly anchored in the jawbone, the dental bridge is attached to the neighboring teeth of a tooth gap. It consists either of precious metal or ceramic. The dental prosthesis, in turn, can be removed and is only "put on".

Conventional dental bridge

The dentist attaches the conventional bridge to the neighboring teeth with special dental cement, the so-called bridge abutments or abutment teeth. The bridge is only held by these teeth, which is why not all teeth are equally suitable for replacement with dental bridges. Stable teeth surrounding the dental bridge are a prerequisite for a good hold. The molars, which are firmly anchored in the jaw with three tooth roots, are, for example, much more resilient and more stable - they are said to have a high pillar value. The lower incisors, on the other hand, only have a small root and are therefore much more difficult to support a dental bridge - they have a low pillar value.

The durability of a conventional bridge is currently stated to be up to 20 years. It should be noted that the longer the bridge (number of missing teeth to be bridged) the shorter the service life.

Adhesive bridge

The dentist attaches the adhesive bridge (also called adhesive bridge or Maryland bridge) to the neighboring teeth with a special adhesive without cement. It is made from all-ceramic or metal-ceramic. Metal-ceramic bridges have a lifespan of around six to ten years. High-strength all-ceramic materials are also suitable as adhesive bridges to replace the incisors.

Since the surrounding teeth do not have to be processed as much for an adhesive bridge as with conventional bridges (only the tooth enamel is ground), it is preferred for young patients. The disadvantage can be a shorter shelf life.

Implant-supported bridge

Dental bridges can also be attached to implants. According to a study, the service life of such a bridge over ten years is 97.9 and 99.3 percent, respectively. Implants can be used to preserve the jointed tooth structure; no teeth have to be ground for crowning.

When do you use a dental bridge?

A dental bridge improves aesthetics as well as speech and chewing function in the event of tooth loss or teeth missing from birth (hypodontia). The three main reasons for tooth loss are:

• Caries
• Periodontal disease
• accident

Basic requirements for the use of a dental bridge are sufficient stability of the surrounding abutment teeth and good oral hygiene. The following factors can speak against a dental bridge:

• lack of bony hold (attachment) or large defects in the jaw
• statically unfavorable position for a dental bridge
• Limitations of the patient that prevent adequate maintenance of the dental bridge

What do you do with a dental bridge?

Since each dental bridge is made individually, it must be carefully planned. To do this, the dentist checks the status of the surrounding teeth and takes an X-ray of the jaw.

Depending on the complexity of the dental bridge, several sessions are necessary (usually three). During the first session, the dentist will remove any caries under local anesthesia and take a dental impression in the area of ​​the future dental bridge. Finally, the right tooth color is determined and the dental bridge is made by a dental technician.

After the dentist has checked the accuracy of fit, the bridge is completed and inserted.

What are the risks of a dental bridge?

The actual insertion of the dental bridge is usually unproblematic. Complications that occur after insertion (problems getting used to) are more common. These include:

• changed perception of temperature
• Pain when biting
• Feeling that the bridge is too "high"
• changed chewing sensation

Usually the problems settling in will subside after a few days. But if they persist, you should see your dentist. The dental bridge may need to be touched up or, if necessary, sanded down.

What do I have to consider after a dental bridge?

Good and careful care ensures that the dental bridge will last for a long time (between 15 and 25 years). In particular, the transition between the bridge and the gum requires a lot of care and is difficult to achieve with normal dental care. Use special dental floss and interdental brushes to keep these areas clean too. Let your dentist give you tips on how to optimally care for your dental bridge.

Tags:  unfulfilled wish to have children alternative medicine Diagnosis