Types of dental bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed dental prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth. The structure typically includes one or more artificial teeth anchored by crowns placed on adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.

This type of non-removable dental prosthesis restores both chewing function and the aesthetics of your smile, providing a natural-looking and functional solution for tooth loss.

The type of dental bridges that the dentist will choose depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of the gums, bone tissue and adjacent preserved teeth.

What are dental bridges for?

Artificial implants perform a number of important functions:

• Replacement of voids in the oral cavity. This allows you to restore a complete and functional dentition.
• Restoration of chewing function.
• Prevention of deformations, displacement and pathological changes in the structure of the jaw.
• Improving the aesthetic appearance of a smile. They restore the natural contour of a smile, which significantly affects self-esteem.
• Maintaining the shape and height of the face. Implants maintain the correct proportions of the face, prevent changes in the chin, cheekbones and jaw sinking.

On average, a dental bridge placed on molars can last between 6 and 10 years with proper care. It’s a durable option that helps restore the function and alignment of the dental arch, while also improving the patient's quality of life.

Leaving gaps between teeth unfilled can lead to serious consequences. Neighboring teeth may begin shifting, tilting, or collapsing into the empty space, resulting in bite misalignment and further dental issues. A dental bridge helps prevent such complications by maintaining the structure of your smile.

What are the different types of dental bridges

The first thing that distinguishes the types of dentures and bridges is the material of manufacture. The choice is based on the individual preferences and requirements of the patient. Some of them are:

• cermet is a combination of a metal base, usually made of nickel-chrome alloy with an outer layer of ceramic, a more durable and durable material;
• metallic, more often made of gold or alloys: chromium, nickel, titanium;
• ceramic – it is easy to choose a natural color;
• implants made of titanium and alloys;
• porcelain is fragile, but the most natural in appearance;
• zirconium or zirconium ceramics – has high strength, aesthetics and good biocompatibility, that is, the ability to adapt to the patient's body.

Implants also vary by installation type: fixed and removable. Fixed (non-removable) implants are securely attached to adjacent teeth or directly to implants and cannot be removed by the patient — only a dentist can do that. Removable prosthetics, on the other hand, are used when adjacent teeth aren’t suitable for supporting implants. These can be taken out at any time, for example, for hygiene procedures, offering more flexibility in daily care.

How much a dental bridge will cost is also influenced by the type of support:

• full crowns, that is, shells covering the entire visible part of the tooth;
• half-crowns - cover only a part and are used when it is necessary to preserve most of the bone tissue;
• pins, or rods, are used when the upper part is lost, but the root remains healthy: the pin is inserted into the channel, and a crown is installed on the top, which serves as a support;
• Inlays are special internal crowns that are used when an adjacent tooth requires partial coating;
• implants are artificial, inserted into the bone tissue of the jaw.

In some cases, dentists can combine different types of supports depending on the characteristics of the patient's jaw. Previously, the doctor will consult and tell you which dental bridges are suitable in your case.

It is possible to put a dental bridge 3-6 months after the start of treatment, when the installed implant fully takes root in the oral cavity. The installation process will not take more than 1.5-2 hours if the patient has no complications and neglected pathologies. After the implant is installed, the dentist sews the wounds and gives recommendations on care and recovery.