What are Dental Bridges Made of

 

The question “what are dental bridges made of?” has many answers.   There are a few different types of dental bridges, and each may be made of a couple of different materials.  Below are explanations of some of the materials used in common types of dental bridges used in dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry.

 Traditional Bridges

Dental bridges are similar to dental crowns in construction.  In fact they are essentially a false tooth, or pontic, held in place by two dental crowns.  So the materials used for constructing a dental bridge are similar to those used in dental crowns.  They are typically made of ceramics or porcelain fused with metal.  Cosmetic dentistry will usually favor porcelain or ceramic materials as they are closer to the teeth in appearance.

 Cantilever Bridge

Cantilever bridges are almost identical to traditional bridges in most ways.  The significant difference that qualifies them as cantilever bridges is that they are designed for when the bridge has to be held in place with dental crowns that are only on one side.  This means that they can only be for replacing certain teeth, but usually they are a better choice if they are an option.  As far as construction and the materials used, they are basically the same as traditional bridges.

Maryland Bridges

Maryland bridges are slightly different than traditional bridges.  They are designed to be held in place with wings that secure to the back of adjacent teeth rather than with connected dental crowns.  These wings are made up of a metal framework, and the false tooth is baked onto it.

 Encore Bridges

With Maryland bridges, even though the metal dental bridges may not be visible, they may cause the natural teeth to appear duller in color.  Teeth are actually translucent; which means a small amount of light is able to pass through them.  The metal dental bridges attached to the back of the teeth may affect the color of the light that passes through them resulting in a dull look.  For this reason, encore bridges don’t use a metal framework.  They are used for cosmetic dentistry, and are essentially the same as Maryland bridges, but use a framework made of fiber-reinforced polymers that will preserve the color and appearance of your natural teeth.

 The Pontic

A pontic is a false tooth that is used in a bridge.  Like bridges themselves, a pontic may be made of different materials.  Most commonly they are made of gold, porcelain, metal alloys, or some combination of those materials.  Porcelain is a common choice for cosmetic dentistry.

 Affects on Dental Bridges Cost

Dental bridges cost can be affected by a lot of different factors, so the best way to see how the material in your bridge will affect your dental bridges cost is to ask your dentist directly.  There are a few rules that generally apply, however.  For metal dental bridges, a precious metal, like gold, is probably going to increase the dental bridges cost compared to other metals that might be options.  A bridge made of porcelain fused to metal will likely cost more than an all-metal dental bridges, and usually ceramic dental bridges cost more still.

 Affects on Adjacent Teeth

If you are concerned about the longevity of your adjacent teeth, the materials used will be less of a factor than the type of bridge you are getting.  The best choice, if possible, would be implants or an implant supported bridge.  If traditional or cantilever bridges are necessary, the role that construction material may play is in determining how much of your adjacent teeth need to be drilled away before the bridge can be attached.  Full metal dental bridges typically require less preparation than porcelain fused to metal, which in turn takes less than full ceramics.

There are several materials used in the construction of dental bridges.  And many factors will play a role in determining which materials are used for a specific dental bridge.  How many teeth are missing and need to be replaced, where the missing teeth were located, and what condition the remaining teeth are in will all play a factor.  Other things that may come into play are how much you are willing to pay for your bridge and what you expect out of your bridge.  Like anything, you get what you pay for, so there is a range of different materials that can be used, some of them may last longer, while other may look more like your natural teeth.

Some types of dental bridges work better for replacing teeth located in specific places in your mouth.  And certain types of bridges have to be made from specific materials.  But there are a number of materials that are the most common choices for making dental bridges.  Gold is still a common material found in dental bridges, though it may be in an alloy or fused to other materials.  Some bridges are made entirely of gold or other metals.  Other bridges are made of ceramic or porcelain.  In some cases porcelain is fused with metal to make a dental bridge.

When a natural appearance is preferred, the most common materials are ceramics or porcelain.  Some times metal may be used for framework, but the visible portions of the bridge will be ceramic.

Cosmetic dentistry usually refers to dental work that is not necessary, but will improve your appearance.  In the case of dental bridges though, there is rarely a time when a bridge will be purely cosmetic.  True, you may be able to survive without getting a bridge if you really want to, but the dental bridge will help preserve the way you eat and speak as well as your natural smile, so they are typically not thought of as only cosmetic.

There are different materials that may be used, however, and some of them will have a more cosmetic appearance.  For example, back teeth that are not easily seen may often be given a bridge made of gold or other metals.  Front teeth on the other hand are typically made of porcelain or similar materials designed to make them appear like natural teeth.  In some cases, procedures are even used which will make the tooth appear to be growing out of the gums.  Sometimes even for visible teeth there may be elements of the bridge that are made out of metal, but these may have other cosmetic affects, like causing natural teeth to appear dull.  So if you are truly going for a cosmetic appearance, you will probably want to use as little metal as possible.

Of course, the materials used may affect how much you are going to pay, and just like anything else the better you want to look, the more you will probably pay.  Keep that in mind.

Many people worry about how dental work will affect their appearance, specifically their smile.  For this reason, people often worry more about their front teeth, which are readily visible, than molars that tend to hide in the back.  If you have lost a front tooth and need a dental bridge to replace it, you may be worried about what that bridge is going to be made of.

If you tend to drive around on twenty-inch rims, you may be excited about a gold bridge to add a little bling to your image.  But most of us prefer our smile to have a more natural sparkle.  Well, don’t worry.  Most dental bridges are designed with appearance in mind.  In fact when possible, a Maryland bridge will be used so that the only part of the bridge visible from outside your mouth is the false tooth.  A false tooth may be made of ceramic, or porcelain fused with metal.  In the case of a Maryland bridge, the tooth and gum supports may be made of plastic.  But in any case your dentist will be doing their best to match the look of your natural teeth.  Even dental cements that are used often come in multiple varieties, so that your dentist can match the color and appearance of your teeth as closely as possible.

Your dentist knows how important your smile is and will know what options are available and how to restore your mouth to its original glory in appearance and function.