Bridge
If a tooth is missing, it can be replaced by a bridge. For a bridge, the teeth adjacent to the gap are ground down and become bridge abutments. The teeth to be replaced are replaced by the pontics, which rest on the alveolar ridge so that the gap is closed. Various materials are available for the manufacture of bridges, which also have different optical properties. Bridge frameworks can be made of various metals or zirconium oxide (“white framework”). They can be fully veneered with ceramic or partially veneered. The bridge is fixed in place after completion. The normal timeline is as follows:
- Preparation of the teeth: You need to take your time. The teeth are ground down and impressions are taken. During this session, a temporary bridge will be fitted to protect your teeth.
- Framework try-in: The bridge framework is tried in. The tooth shade is determined either in the practice or in the laboratory.
- Aesthetic try-in: The bridge is tried on with a ceramic coating to see if you like the look of the bridge.
- Inserting the bridge: The bridge is usually first fixed in place with temporary cement to wait and see if everything is OK with the teeth after grinding. After a few weeks, the bridge is then permanently fitted.
A bridge is a high-quality, fixed dental prosthesis. However, the disadvantage of a bridge is that the neighboring teeth have to be ground down and healthy tooth structure has to be sacrificed.
