What is a dental bridge?
Dental bridge
Derived from the English word "bridge", a dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis that rests on the abutment teeth to replace a lost or severely damaged tooth. For this reason, this technique is said to be irreversible.
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What is the bridge?
When one or more teeth are missing and the area is framed by crowned teeth or teeth that need to be crowned, it is possible to weld an artificial tooth in suspension, which does not rest on the bone or gums, onto these teeth. This avoids the need for an implant.
Here is an example of a 3-tooth bridge: a pivot tooth on the second premolar, a crown on the second molar, and in between, an artificial molar bridge welded to the two teeth mentioned.
If the two teeth surrounding the missing space are healthy, they will have to be devitalized and mutilated to replace only one of them. In this case, the implant would probably have been a better option. If both teeth need to be treated, on the other hand, the bridge becomes interesting.
These bridges can be of different types:
- The metal bridge, which due to its unattractive color, will only rarely be used to replace an anterior tooth.
- Metal-ceramic bridge, which has a metal coping covered with ceramic.
- All-ceramic bridge.
- The bridge with vestibular inlay, where only the vestibular part is made of ceramic or resin
There are also bridges "stuck" to the support teeth, slightly polished, but these must be in excellent health. The risk of failure, especially loosening, is slightly higher than average. Implants can also be used to support the artificial tooth in suspension, in which case the bridge is called an "implant-supported" bridge.
Should it be preferable to an implant?
The advantages of the bridge
- The bridge can replace several teeth at the same time
- Its price is generally much more affordable than that of implants.
- The teeth are very aesthetic and go unnoticed.
The disadvantages of the bridge
- Sometimes you have to "sacrifice" two healthy teeth.
- It's pretty poorly reimbursed by Social Security.
- With the tooth in suspension, there is a risk that the gum bone will retract due to lack of stimulation and future implant placement will be compromised.
The advantages of the implant
- It leaves the teeth that frame it intact.
- Its maintenance is much simpler.
- It stimulates the bone during chewing and does not cause bone degeneration.
Disadvantages of the implant
- The price is often high.
- It is not reimbursed by social security.
- It is a long process.
Placing a bridge...
There are several ways to install a bridge, but in general it follows this path:
1) The dentist treats the missing area or removes the tip of the remaining tooth.
2) He then makes a dental impression with a paste so that a dental technician can make the bridge.
3) During the third appointment, the bridge is placed, which is very fast.
How much does a bridge cost?
The price of a bridge depends on the material chosen, the type of bridge, the dentist's fees, the preliminary examinations... In all cases, the professional must present an estimate. On average, here are the prices:
- The attached dental bridge: between 700 and 1200 euros.
- Bridge over implant: between 700 and 1200 euros.
- Crown or inlay bridge: between 1200 and 2000 euros
- Crown: between 500 and 1500 euros per crown
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