How do Dental Bridges Work

The question “how do dental bridges work” has a complex answer.  There are a few different types of dental bridge that each work in slightly different ways.  In general, however, there are a few things they all have in common.  Dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth with one or more false teeth.  Bridge work permanently sets these connected false teeth into the mouth by attaching them either to the adjacent teeth, or to implants set in the jaw.

 

Traditional dental bridges are held in place by crowns set into the adjacent teeth.  The bridge will be made up of one or more false teeth that will be permanently attached to these crowns.  On your first visit to the dentist he will prepare your teeth to receive the crowns and then take a mold of your teeth.  This will be used to create the bridge.  A temporary bridge will be made in the dentist’s office, which will be set in place to prevent the teeth from shifting while a more permanent bridge is constructed in a dental technician’s laboratory.  Once the permanent bridge is complete, it will be installed during a second visit to your dentist.

 

Cantilever bridges work almost identically to traditional bridges.  The key difference is that they are designed for used when it is not possible to support the bridge from both sides.  This is most common with lower front teeth.  The bridge will be constructed from a mold taken from your teeth, just as a traditional bridge would be.  However in this case the crown or crowns used to support the bridge will be attached to only one side of the bridge.

Maryland bridges do not use crowns to hold them in place.  Instead they use a framework made of metal or reinforced fibers.  This framework will shape a pair of wings, which will be bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth.  This method requires less impact on the surrounding teeth, and in many cases will have a more cosmetic appearance.  However, this type of bridge may not last as long as a traditional bridge.

 

Implant supported bridges may be used when multiple teeth need to be replaced.  In the case of a single missing tooth, a false tooth may be attached to an implant or pin set into the jawbone.  If multiple teeth are missing it may not always be possible to set a pin in place of every missing tooth.  Sometimes the bone may not able to support an implant or there may be other nerve centers or other features that would be problematic.  In this case a bridge may be created by connecting false teeth together, which are supported by however many pins are available.

The question “how do dental bridges work” may refer not only to how they are constructed, but also to how they fulfill their purpose.  There are three basic things that are affected by missing teeth.  The gap left by missing teeth can compromise the way you chew, as well as the way you speak because any change to the shape of your mouth can affect the way your voice resonates.  And, of course, missing teeth will affect your appearance as well.  Bridge work will hold artificial teeth in place to restore the natural look and functionality of your bite and smile.  Bridge work will also hold your remaining teeth in place, to prevent any additional shifting that would further change the shape of your mouth.

 Bridge Replacement

Eventually any type of dental bridge will wear out, though some may last fifteen years or more.  When a dental bridge wears out, bridge replacement is an option, but the new dental bridge will rarely last as long as the first.  For this reason many dentists will recommend that bridge replacement be done with dental implants rather than a new dental bridge.

 

The first thing you need to know is what kind of bridge you are getting.  There are a few different types of bridge, which have various methods of functionality.  They all serve basically the same purpose.  When you are missing one or more teeth there can be various repercussions.  A gap may affect the way you chew, and it may also have an affect on your voice.  The sound of your voice is partially determined by the way it resonates in your mouth, so any change in the shape of your mouth can affect your voice.  And for some, the aesthetic result to your smile can be a significant problem as well.  A dental bridge solves all of these problems, by restoring the natural shape of your mouth.  A mold is taken of your teeth and from this false teeth are created that will replicated the original size and shape of the teeth that were lost.  These teeth are then held in place by one of a few different methods.  With some bridges, crowns are attached to adjacent teeth.  Otherwise the bridge may be bonded to the back of adjacent teeth, or attached to implants set into the bone.  In any case the bridge will be permanently set into your mouth so that your original bite and natural smile can be restored.  These bridges may need follow up adjustments by your dentist in some cases, but the fixture should be typically considered permanent.

Dental work can be pricey, and when trying to get an idea of how much your dental work is going to cost you will probably be asking how do dental bridges work with your insurance policy.  This is an important question to ask, because the answer could dramatically affect what dental work you should received.  In some cases an insurance policy may not cover all types of dental bridges, so it will be helpful to know what work is covered before you get it done.  Some policies may favor implants over bridges, or they may not cover implants, which tend to be more expensive.  Even if your insurance policy does include dental bridges, be sure to check the fine print.  There may be other stipulations that could affect how much you end up paying.  For example, some policies will have an annual limit or other limitations that will make one type of bridge or another a better choice.  Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules to understand how your plan will work with your dentist.  If you are concerned about dental expenses, the best place to start is to get as much information from your dentist about the specific procedure he is recommending.  Once you know what you are looking at, review your policy.  The policy will probably outline what is and isn’t covered, and then you can make an informed decision about what work you should receive.  The more information you can get, the easier your choice will be.

 

Many dental bridges are held in place by being attached to the surrounding teeth so the bridge will rely heavily on these teeth for support.  In the case of traditional or cantilever bridges, this is accomplished with crowns that are attached to the bridge and set into the adjacent teeth.  In this case previous dental work may be a benefit, in the sense that it means these teeth probably shouldn’t need too much extra preparation.  It is also nice to know that healthy teeth are not going to be drilled down just to support a bridge.  However, if these teeth continue to deteriorate, it may lead to extra dental work, as the bridge may need to be refitted, or other work may need to be done as the teeth become unable to support the bridge.

Maryland bonded bridges, or Encore bridges require less from the surrounding teeth.  They are bonded to the back of these teeth with a framework rather than using dental crowns.  However, this method still requires the teeth continue to be strong and healthy to provide support.  If these teeth decay you may need additional work or a different type of bridge.  And these bridges may not last as long before needing to be replaced anyway.  The best choice may be a bridge supported by dental implants if possible.  This will require little or no work on the surrounding teeth.