Types of dental bridges
A dental bridge is a dental structure designed to replace one or more missing teeth. It consists of implants and supporting crowns, which are installed on adjacent healthy teeth or on implants. In fact, this is a kind of prosthesis.
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, dental bridges on molars last from 6 to 10 years. This is a reliable design that will ensure you have healthy teeth and improve your quality of life. Do not forget that the absence of implants in place of voids affects the condition of healthy teeth, which can begin to collapse, fail and shift.
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 differ in the type of installation: non-removable and removable. Removable, that is, non-removable, are attached to adjacent teeth. The patient cannot remove them at will and must consult a dentist. Removable teeth are placed if the adjacent teeth are not suitable for the installation of implants and will not be able to hold them. The patient can take them off at any time, for example, for cleaning.
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.