A dental bridge is a solution for replacing missing teeth. Using modern techniques and materials, we can offer the least invasive forms of dental bridges at Cornelscourt Dental. Over the years, with advances made in dental materials and techniques, many different types of dental bridges have been developed. The most common types of dental bridges offered can be placed into three categories.

This type of dental bridge uses the teeth on either side of a gap, known as abutment teeth, to replace the missing tooth or teeth in between them. The abutment teeth are covered by crowns which are fused to the false tooth replacing the missing tooth in between the abutment. The conventional dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth. This type of dental bridge is permanently cemented to the abutments and hence the term fixed – fixed bridge.

Fixed-Movable Dental Bridge

This type of dental bridge is based on the same principle as fixed-fixed bridges. However, at one end of the fixed-movable dental bridge, there is a mechanism of a “dovetail, male and female device” that is added to the dental bridge. This allows some flexibility and movement of the abutment teeth.

Fixed-Cantilever Dental Bridge

In this type of dental bridge, only one tooth on the side of a gap is used which act as the abutment of the bridge. One crown is cemented to the abutment tooth and one false tooth is fused to that crown, making the total length of the dental bridge two units. The abutment tooth is usually a big tooth that supports a smaller sized tooth in front of it. This bridge is, therefore, fixed on one side and the false tooth replacing the missing tooth is cantilevered off it.

Adhesive Dental Bridge

This type of dental bridge was developed when substantial advances were made in types of dental cements. In this type of bridge, also known as Maryland dental bridge (as first it was thought of and was designed in Maryland, USA), a metal wing is used that supports a false tooth. The wing is then cemented on the back of an abutment tooth next to the gap.

Alternative Options To Dental Bridges

The alternative options to a dental bridge procedure for replacing missing teeth can be either removable prosthesis, otherwise known as dentures, or false teeth, or implants.

The preparation of the teeth for a dental bridge is a difficult and very skilled procedure. In addition, highly experienced dental technicians are needed to make the dental bridge. Therefore, dental bridges can be costly. The type of materials used for the dental bridge can greatly influence their cost, similarly to dental crowns.