The 5 most common dental bridges used today; Conventional Bridges are Cantilever Bridges, Maryland Bridges, Composite Bridge (Strip or bonded composite only) and Implant Supported Bridges.
The design and placement of dental bridges is one of the most common and frequently used treatment methods to replace missing teeth. Many bridge types and options are available to meet your restoration needs based on your specific oral condition.
It’s important to make sure your hygiene and home maintenance is optimal, if so, your bridge can last a very long time.
It is an unfortunate fact that most adults aged 20-65 (on average) have missing teeth or currently have 3 diseased or decaying teeth that they will eventually lose.
What are the 5 Most Common Types of Dental Bridges?
1.Traditional Bridges
Traditional bridges are the most popular types of dental bridges for restoring lost teeth. They can be used when you have natural teeth or implants on both sides of the gap left by your missing tooth.
They are usually small, lightweight and provide excellent chewing comfort by redistributing your normal bite force, which is compromised by your missing teeth.
These types of bridges can last for a long time if your hygiene and care are kept at an optimum level.
The primary disadvantage of traditional bridges is that sufficient tooth surface must be cut and removed from your abutment teeth to make room for the crowns. Therefore, the abutment tooth(s) will always need to be protected with well-placed crowns, as the tooth surface does not renew itself. Their maintenance, vitality and durability are essential for the longevity of your bridge.
2.Console Bridges
This cantilever bridge is used when only one anchor tooth is available to support the missing tooth or teeth. This bridge design is not recommended for use in the back of the mouth where too much biting force can be applied to the abutment tooth. However, it can work if it is well designed and the cantilever tooth is the anterior tooth. Bite forces must be taken into account in the design that can be done by a good laboratory, making this type of dental bridge a valuable option when trying to save time and money.
3.Maryland Bridges
This type of bridge is a winged bridge known for its conservative structure. Such dental bridges are often called resin bonded bridges. Basically, they are designed with plastic teeth of similar gum material reinforced with a metal frame.
Metal attachments on opposite sides are bonded to the existing anchor teeth. This particular form of resin-bonded bridgework is mainly used on anterior teeth when adjacent teeth are still in stable condition.
The major advantage of such dental bridges is that your dentist only needs to make a minimal adjustment to the contour of the abutment teeth. The treatment is cost-effective and relatively efficient compared to what is required to design a conventional fixed bridge. As great as this Maryland bridge option is, a good assessment of your bite will be necessary to determine if it’s a viable option. Deep bites or cross bites are contraindicated for Maryland bridges.
The metal attachments on Maryland bridges tend to discolor, causing the abutment teeth to become darker over time, and they are also known to have a tendency to split the ligament. Such dental bridges are often seen as temporary replacement devices. It’s usually used in the meantime while your implant is healing (or if you’re under 18 and waiting for your growth cycle to end before getting an implant.)
4.Composite Bridges (strip or just glued composite)
For people who are missing a tooth or two and are looking for an easy and cost-effective solution to their replacement problem, a composite filling usually fills the bill. It is usually done and fitted in a single dental visit, where a composite bonding material (this is plastic dental filling material) is placed directly into the missing space.
Patience is a virtue and a work of art when reconstructing a missing tooth with a composite material. In addition, due to the separation and chipping properties of the materials used in the design, this bridge should be very careful. A reinforced wire or strip known as a Ribbond can be used to provide more strength to a composite bridge. Similar to Maryland bridges, composites are considered temporary and can be used by people with periodontal disease who put off the extraction of their problematic teeth until the end.
5.Implant Supported Bridges
The popularity of the implant-supported bridge has been increasing over the years because there is normally no damage to the adjacent natural teeth. There is no support required for crowns or large substructures and clipped tooth stumps, such dental bridges are supported only by implants. This type of bridge provides enough space for you to clean between dental implants and is incredibly stable if well integrated.
Combining too many implants has been proven to lead to significant complications, including implant failures and rejection. Plaque that adheres to the surface of the dental implant then tunnels under the gums, destroying previously healthy bone (a disease known as peri-implantitis). It is very important that your implant supported bridge is designed so you clean it well. With 2 implants supporting a bridge, it is easier and more effective than 3 implants in a row.
Amazing technological advances in implantology, products and procedures have made the use of implants almost ideal for single tooth replacement or multiple tooth bridges. Depending on the quality of your jawbone, you can replace your entire lower or upper arch with 4-6 strategically placed implants.
Any implant-supported bridge restoration should give you a very safe and comfortable feeling, similar to your natural teeth. If your implants and general hygiene and extreme oral condition remain healthy, they can last a lifetime.
If your bone quality and other oral dynamics are positive, you may be eligible to receive your entire restoration in one day with a temporary bridge. You can contact us to learn more about “All On Four” or “All On 6” implant restoration techniques.
Solution
The 5 types of dental bridges discussed in this article clearly serve different needs and intraoral situations. Overall, the use of bridges (although not as effective as dental implants for the reasons outlined above) remains a viable tooth/tooth replacement treatment.
