Dental Bridges Cairns
Damaged or missing teeth can affect both the function and the aesthetic appearance of your entire mouth
Bridges provide a permanent solution for damaged or missing teeth that can improve the function and appearance of your teeth and smile. If teeth are missing in the mouth, often the remaining teeth can move and shift into the empty space which can cause difficulties, for both function and appearance.
A bridge, similar to a crown, is a fitted prosthetic. The difference is that bridges are often used when a patient has lost more than one tooth and several are in need of replacing. The bridge can be made in a laboratory or custom made with our E4D custom made device which is anchored to adjacent teeth to replace one or several missing teeth, or occasionally to splint loose neighbouring teeth. Several types of bridges can be used.
The simplest bridge type involves a silver looking metallic wing that is bonded to the tongue side of neighbouring teeth. This holds the missing tooth. This type of bridge is an adhesion bridge sometimes known as a Maryland Bridge or Adhesive Bridge.
Maryland Bridge or Adhesive Bridge
Advantages:
- The most economical choice
- The most conservative in relation to minimal preparation of anchoring teeth usually requiring no needles at all.
Disadvantages:
- A small percentage become de-bonded and need to be bonded back on. This can only be done 1 or 2 times before replacement with the full crown type is needed.
Conventional bridge
This is the more common and stronger type. It involves placing crowns on the adjacent teeth and joining these to a new tooth to replace the missing tooth or teeth.
Advantages:
- Strongest
- Best Appearance
- Longest Lasting
Disadvantages:
- Most costly
- More preparation needed to anchoring teeth
Dental bridges for missing teeth
Missing teeth can also affect the function of the mouth, the gaps and missing teeth often making it difficult to chew. In this case, a bridge can be created to fit in the mouth and fill the empty space as well as cover any surrounding teeth that are broken, discoloured or damaged. Like crowns, bridges are designed to fit within the aesthetic of the rest of the mouth, matching in colour and shape.
FAQs
How does a dental bridge work?
A dental bridge is a fitted prosthetic used to replace missing teeth. The more common type of bridge works by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth and joining them to a new tooth to replace the missing tooth or teeth. This type of bridge is generally the strongest and most durable option.
Can dental bridges be replaced?
Yes. Although dental bridges can last for a very long time, they do sometimes need to be repaired or replaced. A replacement may be necessary when there are structural problems with the bridge. In some cases, a bridge may also be replaced when it does not fit comfortably in the mouth, or when it does not match the colour of the surrounding natural teeth. Sometimes, it is not necessary to completely replace a dental bridge if it can be repaired instead. If you feel sensitivity in your teeth or gums around the dental bridge, it could be a sign that your bridge needs work, and we recommend that you come in and see us.
How long does a dental bridge last?
Dental bridges typically last between five and seven years, although in some cases they can last even longer than this. Conventional dental bridges are the strongest and longest lasting, while adhesive bridges tend to be a more economical choice. It is important to note, however, that a small percentage of adhesive bridges become de-bonded, in which case they will need to be bonded back onto the teeth. This re-bonding process can only be performed once or twice before a replacement will have to be made.
