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Missing teeth can cause a number of functional and aesthetic problems, from causing difficulties chewing food and speech to affecting one’s willingness to smile. Without their support, neighbouring teeth may also shift and become misaligned over time. If you’re missing one or more teeth in a row, your dentist might talk to you about a dental bridge.

A fixed dental bridge has several advantages over a removable denture and is more affordable than a permanent dental implant, but there isn’t one treatment solution for everyone. Read this guide to understand the pros and cons of dental bridges as a solution to replace missing teeth and contact our dentists in Mount Lawley to discuss your own smile needs.

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What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is two or more prosthetic teeth that are fixed in place by a dentist to ‘bridge’ a gap between healthy teeth. These replacement teeth (or pontics) are usually attached to crowns fitted over neighbouring teeth on each side of the gap, but they may also be attached using clasps or supported by a dental implant in the jaw (known as a fixed implant bridge).

Bridges and crowns are custom designed to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth, restoring the function and appearance of your smile.

Bridge materials

Bridges and accompanying crowns can be made from different materials, depending on your preferences and budget:

• Porcelain: A natural-looking porcelain or ceramic bridge is the most popular choice for visible teeth, such as the front teeth.
• Zirconia: For back teeth that are subject to stronger biting forces, a more durable zirconia bridge may be preferred.
• Acrylic: Weaker materials like acrylic and resin may be used for a temporary dental bridge, but are unsuitable as long-term options.
• Metal: Metal bridges are strong and long lasting, but less common today for their artificial appearance.

Types of bridges

A bridge can be supported in several ways, depending on your preferences and where it’s located in the mouth:

• Traditional bridge: The most common option, these bridges are supported by crowns placed over two adjacent teeth. This requires that teeth are a suitable size and healthy, and need to be prepared (filed down) before crowns can be fitted and glued in place.
• Cantilever bridge: Supported by a crown placed over a single adjacent tooth. These can be an option for teeth at the very back of the mouth or when only one neighbouring tooth is strong and healthy enough for a crown.
• Maryland bridge: Supported by metal or ceramic wings attached to the back of the adjacent teeth. This option is usually reserved for the front teeth and avoids the need for crowns, but the bridge may be less stable.
• Implant bridge: Attached to one or more dental implants in the jaw. This offers more stability and stronger biting forces than a standard bridge, but involves the additional expense of a dental implant and requires minor surgery.

Not every dentist uses all four dental bridge types however, most will use a traditional bridge and implant bridges, including our dentists at Mount Lawley Dental

To find out more about types of dental bridges and other solutions for missing teeth, call our dentists today on (08) 9227 8777.

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Why choose a dental bridge?

Your dentist may recommend a bridge as a suitable option if you need to replace one, two or several adjacent teeth, offering a number of advantages over removable dentures or dental implants.

Functional benefits

Replacing a tooth can restore the ability to eat and speak normally. You won’t have to avoid certain foods, which could lead to nutritional deficiencies or digestive problems.

Aesthetic benefits

Bridges are designed to look like natural teeth and can be colour-matched to the surrounding teeth for a seamless finish. Filling a gap also prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting out of place over time.

Comfort and stability

Less stable than implants and far more stable than removable dentures, bridges are fixed in place, making them less likely to come loose. They can also cause less irritation and discomfort in the mouth like dentures can.

Fast treatment

Getting a dental bridge involves several visits to the dental clinic but has a shorter recovery time than a dental implant, which involves surgery, possibly sedation and a longer healing process.

Cost-effective teeth replacement solution

A 2009 study found that a dental bridge was a more cost-effective solution for replacing a single missing tooth compared to dental implants, making it a more accessible option for people on a budget.* While a bridge usually costs more than dentures, a bridge can last longer on average before it needs to be replaced, usually every 10 to 15 years on average or longer depending on how well teeth are cared for.

* Bouchard P, Renouard F, Bourgeois D, Fromentin O, Jeanneret MH, Beresniak A. Cost-effectiveness modeling of dental implant vs. bridge. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2009 Jun;20(6):583-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2008.01702.x. PMID: 19530315.

Low maintenance

A fixed bridge is easy to care for, with no special cleaning or storage requirements like dentures. Normal brushing and flossing and a healthy diet are usually enough to keep your bridge and the surrounding teeth and gums healthy.

How much does a bridge cost?

The cost of a bridge varies depending on the type of bridge, the material it’s made from and how many teeth it’s replacing. Most bridges also involve placing crowns over the surrounding teeth, which will be included in the total cost.

At Mount Lawley Dental the cost of a traditional 3-unit dental bridge starts from $4959, this includes an indirect bridge pontic (#643) and two dental crowns (#613 x 2).

Some health fund policies may partially cover the cost of bridge and implant treatment or related expenses. Our staff at Mount Lawley Dental can help you find out what you’re eligible to claim for.

We also offer flexible payment plans to help you break down your treatment cost into more manageable instalments, with interest-free options available.

What to expect when getting a dental bridge

Your dentist will explain what a bridge treatment involves during your initial consultation. Replacing a tooth with a bridge requires at least two visits to the dental clinic and regular six-monthly check-ups thereafter.

Consultation and treatment planning

Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, take an x-ray, and ask about your medical history and other risk factors to assess your suitability for treatment. If you decide that a bridge is the right choice, your dentist will create your treatment plan and give you a price quote.

Preparing your teeth

If the bridge will be supported by crowns, your dentist will prepare these teeth by removing some enamel (usually between 0.5mm – 1mm for zirconia crown) so the crowns don’t appear bulky and stick out. They will then take impressions of your mouth that a dental technician will use to design your custom bridge and crowns. A temporary denture may be placed until your next appointment.

Fitting your bridge

Once your bridge has been prepared, your dentist will call you back for a fitting appointment. They’ll check your bite and that the bridge feels comfortable before cementing the bridge and crowns to your teeth.

A dental crown treatment process is similar to a bridge treatment process. Learn more about What to Expect When Getting a Dental Crown.

Recovery and aftercare

Your dentist will instruct you about how to care for your bridge and your mouth after treatment and in the long term to avoid problems. They may also schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress after a few weeks.

Caring for your bridge

Once fitted, a dental bridge can typically last for 5–15 years or longer, with some lasting for decades or even a lifetime. How long your bridge lasts depends on its material and how well you care for the bridge, your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.

While bridges and crowns don’t need special care, it’s important to follow a proper oral hygiene routine that involves twice-daily brushing, flossing, limit sugar in your diet, and avoid bad habits like smoking to avoid problems like tooth decay. Diseases that affect the underlying teeth and gums can cause a bridge to fail.

Your dentist may also advise avoiding very hard or sticky foods that could damage or dislodge the bridge. It’s also important to keep up with your routine dental visits so your dentist can catch and treat any possible problems early and lower your oral health risks.

Who is suitable for a bridge?

Most people with missing or badly damaged or decayed teeth are eligible for bridge treatment, but some conditions could make you unsuitable. You may be a candidate if:

• you want to replace one tooth or several teeth in a row
• the adjacent teeth are strong and healthy enough to support crowns
• you don’t have an oral health problem like tooth decay or gum disease
• you want a more permanent alternative to a denture
• you are not suitable for dental implants

Your dentist will make sure you know all your options for teeth replacement so you can make a fully informed decision.

Potential drawbacks of bridges

A bridge isn’t always the best option. It might not be the best choice for you if:

• you need to replace more than a few teeth in a row
• you have gum disease or poor oral health
• the teeth around the gap aren’t suitable for crowns
• you prefer a fixed solution that also supports the jaw bone

Alternatives to bridges

A dental bridge isn’t the only solution for missing teeth. Depending on your circumstances, your dentist might also discuss:

• Dental implants to provide more support for your replacement tooth and jaw and stronger biting forces
• Partial dentures for a more affordable alternative that requires daily care

It’s not always necessary to replace a missing tooth if it’s not causing problems, but the adjacent teeth could shift over time without support and the jaw bone underneath the gum will start to resorb prematurely without the stimulation of tooth roots.

Book a consultation

If you want to know more about bridges and other options for replacing teeth, get in touch today to schedule an initial consultation with our dentists in Perth. Call us on (08) 9227 8777 or book an appointment online. We welcome patients from Highgate, Inglewood, North Perth and all nearby areas.

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References

1. Bouchard P, Renouard F, Bourgeois D, Fromentin O, Jeanneret MH, Beresniak A. Cost-effectiveness modeling of dental implant vs. bridge. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2009 Jun;20(6):583-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2008.01702.x. PMID: 19530315.